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SKETCHES 



OF THE 



mc'SiiiiiAia^icA^ ®ii^©mT 



OF THE 



STATE OF MAINE, 

FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE 
PRESENT TIME. 



BY JONATHAN GREENLEAF, 

PASTOR OF A CHURCH IN WELLS. 



PORTSMOUTH : 
PUBLISHED BY HARRISON GRAY 

R. Foster, Printer. 

1821. 






STATE OF MAINE, ss. 

BE it remembered. That on this eighteenth i!ay of August in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight liundred and twenty-one, and the forty-sixth 
year of the Independence of the United states of America, Jonathan Green- 
leaf, of the District of Maine, lias deposited in this Office, the title of a 
Book, the right whereof he claiir.s as author in the words following, viz ; 
'« .^ketches of the Ecclesiastical History of the State of Maine, from the 
" earliest settlement to the present time— by Jonathan Grcenleaf, Pastor of 
•' a Church in Wells. * 

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled 
♦' An act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of maps, 
" charts and books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the 
*' times therein mentioned ;" and also, to an act, entitled, "An Act sup- 
•' plcmentary to an act, entitled 'an act for the er.couragement of learning, 
«' by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and 
♦•proprietors of such copies, during the times therein menrionfd, and ex- 
'• tending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and 
" etching historical and other prints.*' 

JOHN MUSSEY,jun. Clerk 
of the District Court of Maics. 

A true copy of record, 
Attest, JOHN MUSSEY, jun. Clerk D. C. Maine. 



PREFACE. 



THE folloivlng work <was undertaken not ivUh any in „ 
lenlion of writing an Ecclesiastical Hvtory of the Stale^ but 
merely with a view of collecting and preferving materials, of 
whichf a regular history might hereafter he composed. It 
n^oas believed *hat many important fa&s might be arrested in 
their way to oblivion^ and recorded fr the ben fit of after 
times ; and it was deemed advisable that publicity in some 
form should be given to this colledion, in order that the error? 
relating either to fact or date might be corrected by the present 
generation, or probably, most of those corrections could 
never be made. In relating similar events, which happened 
in so many different places, much variety of stile or expression 
cannot be expected. The principal aim has been to reco'd in 
a concise and intelligible manner such things onlvy as would in- 
terest the reader, and such as would probably be of seme con- 
sequence hereafter. 

It is not pretended that the following pages contain all the 
information of an Ecclesiastical nature that might be found in 
the State. It is presumed however, that the principal facts 
relating to the several denominations are here presented. 

No labor has been spared to collect information from every 
probable source. Town Records, Parish Records, Church 
Records, and in some instances, private Records have been 
consulted. Information has also been sought from aged in- 
telligent people, and some facts have been thus obtained which 
ivere never before written^ Much care has been bestowed in ' 



IV. PREFACE. 

fixing the dates of events ; and ahhoiigh some few errors of 
this kind may he detected^ yet it is presumed that in general 
the dates may he relied en. 

In collecting the fact>s relating to the different denomina- 
tions of Christians^ the author has aimed at correctness by 
applying for information to intelligent persons in the se'vera! 
SocietieSy and by examining their own official statements. 

For much nialuable information respecting the Episcopal 
Church in Maine, the author is unden great obligations to the 
politeness of Robert H. Gardiner, Esq. of Gardiner, 

1)1 any particulars relating to the Roman Catholic Societies 
at New Cajtle and Whitefield, were communicated by Sam- 
uel Bishop, Esq. of ly res den* 

The History of the Cahinistic Baptists was gathered 
principally from Bachm' and Benedict's Histories, and the 
printed minutes of the several associations in the State, 

For the account of the Societies of Friends the author is 
greatly indebted to Samuel F. Hussey of Portland) and Josh' 
tia Meader of Berwick, 

The faBs respecting the German Lutheran Scciety at 
IValdoborotigh, were kindly furnished by Rev. Mr. Starman 
ef that place. 

The History of the Presbyterians is gleaned chiefly from 
the Records of the ancient " Boston Presbytery,^' the Records 
of the first " Synod of New England,'^ the Records also of 
the " Salem Presbytery, '^ and from information communicated 
by the Rev. Mr, Strickland of East Andover, 

The principal part of the information respecting the Free* 
will Baptists, and the Christian Churches, was obtained 
from Elder John Buzzell's *^ Religiom Magazine,'^ the 



PREFACE. V. 

'memoli-s of some indiv'iduah ivhtch have heen puhllsheJ, 
and information furnished by Eldtr Mark Fernald of Kittery. 

Most of the facts relating to the Methodist Church, nvere 
collected from " Lee's History of the Methodists,'' the minutes 
of the annual Conferences, *'Hhe Discipline^' and information 
obligingly furnished ly Rtv. Asa Heath, of Scarborough, the 
presiding Elder of the Western District in Maine. 

Many Gentlemen among the Coiigregalionalists both Cler- 
gymen and Laxtnen, have rendered essential services to the 
author in his researches, and he iL'oind take this method to ex- 
press his grateful sense of the kindness of his Brtthren in the 
Ministry, who have so readily opened their records to his in- 
spection, and also to those Town and Parish Clerks, who 
have with so much kindness assisted him in his labors. 

He wotdd particularly acknowledge the aid he has receiv- 
ed from Rev. Allen Greely rf Turner, whose pen furnished 
the sketch of the history of the Church in that place. Es- 
sential services have also been rendered the author by Rev. 
Daniei Gould rf Rumford, Rev. Dr. Porter of Conway, 
Rev. Nathan Church of Bridgton, Rev. Ebene%er Price of 
Boscawen, in New-Hampshire, formerly of Belfast, Hon. 
David Sewall of York, Hoiu Mark L. Hill of Phipshurgh, 
and Hon, Jeremiah O'Brien, and Josiah Harris, Esq, of 
Mac hi as. 

Much valuable information has also been obtained from 
the Journals of Rev. Jotham Sewallj which the author was 
obligingly permitted to peruse. 

In sketching the history of the Church in Brunswick 

much assistance was received from a manuscript on the files of 

that Church written by Rev. Winthrop Bailey. 
A2 



yu PREFACE. 

/n addition to the Information obtained oy the as sis tame of 
individuals i and consulting authentic records, the author hao 
carefully gleaned all the facts relating to the Ecclesiastical af 
fairs of Maine which are scattered through Mather^ s Mag" 
nalia, Winlhrop^s Journal, Hubbard^ s History, Hutchinson^ s 
History of Massachusetts, Belknap^s History of Neiu-Hamp' 
shire, Sullivan's History cf Maine, Elliot's NeW'England 
Biography, and all tJ^e publications of the Massachusetts His" 
tori'cal Society dfjivn to the year 1819, besides a variety of 
pamphlets tvhich have been occasionally published relating to 
particular places and indi'viduals. Reference is made in ths 
lusrk to the books examined ivherever a fact is directly select'^ 

Chronological order is observed throughout as far as it 
was practicable. 

It will perhaps he observed that llttte notice is taken of 
some Ecclesiastical ajfairs which have taken place in the State 
within ten or fifteen years past, and which might he thought 
by some to deserve a more particular ctccount. But it was 
judged best to say as little as possible respecting every matter 
which m'ght he deemed peculiarly censurable or praise worthy ^ 
while the principal actors were yet living ; having the trans*- 
actions of the present age, to be mc^re particularly recorded by 
some future historian. 

Wells, August, 1821, 



SKETCHBS 
OF THE 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBY 

OF THE 

State of Maine, 



-90000- 



CHAPTER I. 

1673. 

THE discovery of the sea coast of the State of Maine 
was as early as that of any part of North America. Se- 
baftlan Cabot, a Venetian, sailed along the coast under 
the authority of Henry the seventh of England, in the 
year 1496, only four years after the discovery of the 
West India Islands by Columbus. From this time ad- 
venturers were often on the coast and sometimes landed, 
and pretended to claim the territory for their respective 
Sovereigns. Nothing permanent was done, however, 
for more than one hundred years. In 1604, Monsieur 
De Motte, who, about one year previous, had been ap- 
pointed Governor of Canada, by Henry the fourth o? 
France, received from that King a grant of all the lands 
in Maine, from the 40th to the 46th degree of North 
Latitude ; but being interrupted by the English, who 
afterwards settled New England, the French claim was 



8 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

considered as extending no farther westward than the 
river Kennebeck, and the territory so possessed was 
called New France, or Acadie. Still only a few trad- 
ing houses were established there, and no permanent set- 
tlements made. 

In 1639, Sir Ferdlnando Gorges, obtained from 
Charles 1st a grant of all the land from Piscataqua har- 
bour to Kennebeck, and extending 120 miles into the 
country. This tract of country was by order of the 
King, called "the province or countie of Maine." 

Nine years before this, a small settlement had been 
made on the sea coast, about eight miles eastward of 
Piscataqua river, and was called Agamenticus, from a 
noted hill lying a few miles from the sea. This place 
Vv-as selected for the capital of the new Province ; a city 
charter was obtained for it ; the name was changed to 
Gorgiana j and Thomas Gorges, a nephew of the oiig- 
jnal patentee, was appointed Mayor, and fixed his resi» 
dence there. 

In 1652, the government of the whole Province of 
Maine was assumed by Massachusetts, and the town was 
called York, which name it has ever since retained. 
Here was planted the first Church in the State. Sir 
Ferdlnando Gorges was an Episcopalian, and was di- 
rected by the King to establish that Chuich in his Pro- 
vince, as the following extract from the charter will 
show : — "0«r nvill and pleasure is that the religion noiu 
professed in the Church of England, and Ecclesiastical gov- 
ernment noiv used in the same, shall be ever hereafter pro- 
fessed, and with as much convenient speed as may he set- 
tied and established'^ in and throughout the said province 



YORK. 9 

suid premises', and e'^er^ of themP Notwithstanding this-, 
it does not appear, that an Episcopal establishment was 
attempted in the Province generally, nor even any 
Church of that communion organized at York, which 
was considered the seat of government. The settlement 
was still inconsiderable when the people submitted to the 
government of Massachusetts, and they became dissen- 
ters without a struggle. The people of York had pro- 
bably been supplied with preaching from their earliest 
settlement. Indeed it cannot be supposed, that a peo- 
ple who had always been accustomed to religious privi- 
leges, and many of whom had left their native land for 
conscience sake, would be long without the stated ad- 
ministration of the woid of God, and the ordinances of 
the Gospel. — The first preacher at York of whom any 
account is preserved was one Burdet, who came hither 
from Exeter. He was shamefully imm.oral in his con- 
duct, and after a few years, was expelled the Province. 
No record can be found at this day of the first gather* 
ing and regular embodying of the Church in this town, 
nor of the proceedings of the Church under the two first: 
Ministers. It is presumed however that it was organi- 
zed in the year 1673. In that year the Rev. Shubael 
Dummer v/as ordained at York ; and as the uniform 
practice had been to gather and organize a Church be- 
fore settling a minister, it is highly probable, that the 
Church is to be dated from that year. 

At this distance of time, and with a very few frag., 
ments of record, little can be said In relation to Mr. 
Dummer, or his ministry. He was graduated at Ha:*^ 



10 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

vard College In 1656. Where and how he spent the 
17 years which intervened between this and the time of 
his settlement at York does not appear ; nor how long 
he preached in York previous to his ordination. Per- 
haps he was there the greater part of that time.* He 
married a Miss Rishworth, the daughter probably of the 
celebrated Edvv-ard Rishworth, a man well known in the 
history of those days. It is not known whether he left 
any children. *' His house was within about thirty 
rods of the sea shore, near to a place called "the roar- 
ing rock."-}- Mr. Dummer continued in the ministry in 
York about 1 9 years. On the 25th of January 1692, the 
Indians made an attack on the settlement at York, and 
Mr. Dummer was shot as he was mounting his horse at 
his own door. His wife was taken captive at the same 
time, but was soon redeemed.J Tradition reports Mr. 
Dummer to have been a serious, godly man. He 
preached his own ordination sermon from Psalm Ixxx. 
14, and it is said that the Sabbath immediately preced- 
ing his death he discoursed very solemnly concerning 
the carelessness of the people of Laish, prior to the inva- 
sion of their land by the children of Dan. 

At the time Mr. Dummer was killed, the town was 
nearly destroyed by the savages, and for six succeeding 
years they had little if any preaching. 

The second minister of York was Rev. Samuel Moo- 
dy : he came to the town as a candidate in 1698, a^d 



* Sewel's Hist. Qnakcrs, vol, I, p. 615. 

t Sullivan, 

$Somt have said that she died in captivity*. 



YORK. a 

was ordained to the pastoral care of the church in Dec. 
1700. The praise of Mr. Moody is in all the Churches 
in this region. As a zealous man of God he was well 
known ; and his ardent piety as well as his eccentrici- 
ties will be long remembered, and his memory devoutly 
cherished by generations yet to come. Mr. Moody re- 
ceived his education at Haivard College, and was gra- 
duated in 1697. Remarried Hannah, the only daugh- 
ter of John Sewall of Newbury, by whom he had two 
children, viz. Joseph, who was afterwards settled in the 
Ministry in the second parish in York, and Mary, who 
was married to Rev. Joseph Emerson of Maiden. — 
When Mr. Moody was settled in York he refused to ac- 
cept a stipulated salary, and chose to live on the volun- 
tary contributions and donations of the people. The 
Parish built him an house, appropriated a spot for a 
Parsonage, and hired a man to manage it, while Mr. 
Moody literally knew not any thing that he possessed. 
He died Nov. 13th, 174.7. aged 72.* 

Two years after the death of Mr. Moody, Rev. Isaac 
Lyman was ordained in his stead. For almost fifty 



* The remains of Mr, Moody lie buried in the common burying place 
near the Meeting-Houie, with the following inscription on a stone placed 
over them : 

Here lies the body 
of the Rev'd 

Samuel Moody, a. m. 

The realous, faithful, and successful Pastor of the first Church of Christ 
In York. Was born in Newbury Jannary 4th, i675- Graduated 1697. 
Ctme hither May i6tb, 1698. Ordained in Dec. 1700, and died here Nov. 
13th, 1747. For his farther character read the and Corinthians 3d Chap. 
and six first verses. 



13 CONGUEGATIONALiSTS. 

years, Mr. Lyman performed all the pastoral duties ^ 
but becoming infirm toward the close of his life, he 
received Rev. Rosewell Messenger as a colleague in the 
year 1798. Mr. Lyman died in 1810, having comple- 
ted sixty years of ministerial labour. In 1813, Mr. 
Messenger was dismissed, and after the Church had been 
destitute for about two years, Rev. Moses Dow for- 
merly of Beverly was installed, and is the present min* ^ 
ister. 

In the year 1730, a second Congregational Parish 

was incorporated in the northwest part of tlie town 

This parish was originally settled by Scotch people, and 
has always been known by the name of Scotland. In 
1732, a church was organized in this parish, and Rev. 
Joseph Moody, son of Rev. Samuel Moody, invited to 
take the pastoral charge of it. Mr. Moody was born 
in the year 1700, the year of his father's settlement in 
York. At the age of eighteen he received the honours 
of Harvard College, and for fourteen years was a very 
useful and active man in civil life. 

For some years, he was clerk of the town of York> 
and Register of Deeds for the County, in both of which 
offices he has left ample testimonials of his care, indus- 
try, and correctness. He was also a Judge of the 
County Court when he was but about thirty years of 
age; His Father was very desirous that he should be a 
preacher of the Gospel, as he was possessed of superior 
talents, and was considered a man of eminent piety. 
The importunity of the Father prevailed with the Son ; 
and being warmly solicited by the second Church and 
Society in York, he at length consented to take the pas- 



YORK. 13 

toral charge cf thsm, resigned all his civil offices, and 
was ordained. But the importance of this new trust 
proved too much for his great sensibility ; and after 
about six years, falHng into a gloomy and singularly 
•lisordered state of mind, he relinquished his public la- 
bours. He died in March 1753.* 

Mr. Moody had ceased to preach in the year 173S, 
and for about three years, the people of his charge wait- 
ed patiently for his recovery ; but seeing no prospect 
of it, a Council was called in August 17-il, and tlie 
pastoral relation dissolved. Early In the following 
year the Rev. Samuel Chandler was ordained In his 
stead. Mr. Chandler remained at York about ten 
years, and was then dismissed by mutual consent, and 



♦Mr. Moody's disorder was of the nervous kind. He supposed that the 
guilt of some unforgiven sin lay upon him, and that he was not only unworthy 
the sacred office he held, but unfit for the company of other people. He 
chose to eat itione, and kept his f.ice always covered with a handkerchief when 
in company. His judgment of men and things (except what lelated to him - 
self) was in no ma.iner impaired. He would vit,it &nd frequently pray with 
the sick, and in private fami'ies., and did a few times in public, with great fer- 
vency, pertinency, and devotion ; but always insistt d that he was only the 
,voice of others on these occasions. The following Is the iasciiption on his 
grave stone : 

flere lies intcred the body 

of the Rev'd 
JOSEPH MOODY, 
Pastor of the jd Church in Vork. An excelling instance of Knowledge, 
icarning, ingenuity, piety, and usefulness. V/as very serviceable a< a i^chool 

Master, Clerk, Register, Magistrate, and afterwards as a Minister. 
Was uncommonly qualified and spirited to do good, and accordingly was 
highly esteemed and greatly beloved. 
He deceased March 20th, 1753. Aged 53. 
Although tills Stone may moulder ,into dust. 
Vet Joseph Moody's name continue must, 

B 



14 CONGUEGATIONALISTS. 

installed at Gloucester in Essex County. The third 
Minister of this people was the Rev. Samuel Lankton. 
He had previously been preaching in S0me part of Con- 
necticut, and had received a call to settle. But ^is 
health v^^as feeble, and being on a journey to regain it, 
he happened to lodge at the house of the Rev. Mr. Ly- 
man in the first Parish. Mr. Lyman informed him of 
the vacancy in the fecond Pariih, and urged his tarry- 
ing long enough, at least, to visit that people, and .preach 
a lecture. Mr. Lankton consented. The people urged 
him to remain with them, and he was ordained Pastor 
of that Church July 3, 175i>, and continued in that sta- 
tion with honour to himself and benefit to the people, 
niore than forty years. He was an accurate scholar, a 
very close student, and an exemplary and devout Chris- 
tian. He died suddenly in Dec. 1794 of bleeding at 
the lungs. 

After an Interval of about three years, Rev. Isaac 
Briggs was ordained over the same Church, and re- 
mained nearly seven years. In 1805, he was dismissed, 
and installed at Boxfoid in Massachusetts, and the peo- 
ple have remained to the present time destitute of a 
stated pastor. 

The state of religion in York, in former days, was 
prosperous. The ministry of Mr. Moody, the elder, 
was singularly blessed to the people. About the year 
IT^*!, a general revival of religion com.menced, and ma- 
ny weie hopefully converted, and gathered into the 
Church ; but the precise number cannot now be ascer- 
tained. In 1756, the town was again visited In mercy, 
but not in the same degiee as In the days of Mr, Moody. 



YORK. 15 

The great earthquake in Nov. 1755, alarmed the con- 
sciences of many people and about forty made public 
profession of religion. Since that time, no particular 
season of revival has marked their history. 

The second Parish does not appear to have been visi- 
ted with a general effusion of the Holy Spirit. Some 
attention to religion was excited in the early part of Mr. 
Lankton's ministry, and it is said that people were so 
deeply affected, in some instances as to go to his house 
late in the night, for the benefit of his conversation and 
prayers. Since that time, vital religion has evidently 
been declining there, and the Church is now almost 
extinct. 



16 CONGUEGATIOXA LISTS, 

CHAPTER II. 

1701. 

THE second Church which was organized in Maine 
was in Wells. This town was called by the aborigines 
Webhannet, from the river of that name, which runs 
through the marsh, and forms the harbour. The first 
permanent settlement was made here in the year 16^3. 
The Rev. John Wheelwright, brother to the celebrated 
Ann Hutchinson, had been banished from Boston for 
Antinomianrsm, and coming eastward assisted in found- 
ing Exeter in New-Hampshire ; but troubles soon ari- 
sing there, lie came to Wells among the first inhabitants. 
The original commission for surveying the town, was 
issued by Thomas Gorges in July 1643, and directed to 
'' Mr. John Wheelwright, minister of God's word, Mr. 
Henry Loads, and Mr. Edward Rishworth." Mr. Wheel- 
wright appears to have been an aspiring and restless 
man, but a man of learning, and much energy. He was 
.1 classmate in College with Oliver Cromwell,* was in- 
timate with him, and most probably was deeply im- 
bued with the religious and political opinions of that 
day. He remained in Wells about four years, and after 
a visit to England and a partial confession, he was re- 
stored to favour in Massachusetts through the influence 
of Cromwell, and was then settled in Hampton in New- 
Hampshire. He afterwards removed to Salisbury, on 
Merrimac river where he died suddenly in an apoplectic 
fit, Nov. 15, 1679, at an advanced age. No monument 

*Stlkrup's New- Hampshire vol, i, page 3.351. 



WELLS. 17 

can be found to point out the place of his grave.* 
Some of the children of Mr. Wheelwright settled in 
Wells, and many of his descendants may be found there 
at the present day. 

Mr. Wheelwright undoubtedly preached to the peo- 
ple while he tarried in Wells, although no record of the 
fact can now be found at Wells. Neither is there any 
record of the gathering of a Church in the town at the 
time of thejirst settlement, although from certain facts 
it seems somewhat probable that one existed. Hub- 
bard in his "general histery of New-England,'* says, 
"Mr. Wheelwright afterwards in the year 1 64-3, had 
removed from Exeter to Wells, near Cape Porpoise, 
where he ivas pastor of a Church.\ The late Gov. Sul- 
livan in his History of Maine states that, in 1653, the 
Commissioners of Massachusetts for settling the Gov- 
ernment of Wells, Cape-Porpus4 and Saco, found no 
small difficulty especially at Wells, from those who 
called themselves of the Church there. After a full and 
patient hearing of the case, the commissioners were of 
opinion that they should desist from any further preten- 
sions of that kind, and as they said, felt themselves con- 
strained to bear witness against them for what they 
(termed " their ungrounded assertion of their Church 



♦Salisbury Records. Also Hubbard's liiie. p. 368. Also Setv'cl's hist. 
Quaker's vol. i,page6ij. 

-^ Hubbard p. 365. 

JThis name is sometimes spelt Porpoise, sometimes Porpesce, and some- 
•tlmes Porpus. This last is here adopted as being most conformable to th<e 
rommon pronunciation of the word. 



18 - CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

relation." Whether the persons thus spoken of had cov- 
enanted together after their settlement, at Wells, or 
whether they were members of other Churches who had 
j-emoved to the town, does not clearly appear. The 
spirit, which drove the first inhabitants of Plymouth and 
Massachusetts from their native land, appeals, as a di- 
:>ease of the age, to have reigned in their own bosoms 
also, and hence probably we may account for a part, at 
least, of the unwillingness of the conscientious people of 
i-hat day to submit to them. Besides, Mr. Wheel- 
wright, who was a man of influence, and probably 
enough a favorite with the people, liad been once ban. 
ished from Massachusetts, and doubtless many of the 
people had im.bibed both his peculiar sentiments and his 
prejudices. These consideralioHs will account, in some 
measure, for the opposition manifested to Massachusetts 
m her proposed assumption of the govemment, as well 
as for the introduction of religious matters into the dis- 
pute. Beilingham, the Deputy Governor, and the 
other Commissioners, took a summary way to end the 
dispute, as before stated, by pioncuncing them not a 
Church. That this was the result at Cape Porpus is ev- 
jdent, if we may credit the account of Gov. Sullivan. 
He says, "the matter of religion had a great effect on 
the minds of the people : hence arose the objection 
which is mentioned in the proceedings of the commis- 
sioners, that the inhabitants of Cape Porpus could not 
submit, consistently -with the tenor and obligation of 
their Church government. The Commissioners, in the 
plenitude of their power, dissolved the Chui ch connex- 
ion, and thus relieved the consciences of those, who 



WELLS. Ig 

were labouring under those scruples."* From these 
facts, It may be fah-ly inferred that Churches of some 
kind, were gathered very early in some of the ancient 
towns, perhaps with the first regular settlement, and 
broken up at this time, and their records, if any were kept, 
are lost forever. The affairs of the people at Wells, 
were now in a fluctuating state, and it does not appear 
that they had a constant supply of preaching for about 
eleven years. In the year 1661 the following order was 
issued by the County Court : 

"At the Court at York, July 1, 1661. 
*' The town of Weils, at present being destitute of 
" any fit person to carry on the worship of God amongst 
" them on the Lord's day : It is therefore ordered by 
" this Court, that 'till they can better provide for them- 
" selves, (which we hope they will not neglect any op- 
"portunity to do) that Mr. Ezekiel Knight and Wil- 
j " liam Hammond shall duly attend the place of public 
" meeting on the Lord's day, and that they improve 
" their best abilities in speaking out of the word of God, 
" Praying, Singing of Psalms, and reading some good 
" orthodox Sermons, as may most tend to the edifica- 
** tion of them that hear, and the sanctification of the Sab- 
" bath, as the law of God and this jurisdiction iequire."f 
This was probably the order of things in Wells for about 
three years, then the practice of the people, as far as it 
can be ascertained, by examining the ancient Town 
Record, w^as to agree with some person as a Minister, 



♦Sullivan page 367- 

t Common Pleas Records for the County of York, pamphlet B page 4; 



30 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

and make stipulations for bis support so long as he saw 
fit to remain with them. Six Ministers were succes- 
sively employed in this way from the year 1664 to 
about 1690, viz. Joseph Emerson, Jeremiah Hubbard, 
Robert Payne, John Buss, Percival Greene, and Rich- 
ard Martin. Little is now known of these men but 
their names. Mr. Emerson remained in Wells but a 
short time, and was afterwards settled in the ministry at 
Mendon in Massachusetts. Mr. Buss was a Physician, 
and after leaving Wells he preached and practiced Phy- 
sic at Oyster River, now Durham, in New-Hampshire.* 
Greene and Martin were graduated from Harvard Col- 
lege, and were both of the Class of 1 680. They are not 
marked as Ministers in the Catalogue. Mr. Martin was 
employed in Wells as a School Master for several years 
previous to his preaching, and probably had no regular 
introduction into the ministry. A Meeting House had 
been built in the town, a Parsonage house also, and re- 
gular order observed. It is reported that the celebra- 
ted George Burroughs, who was executed for witchcraft 
in 1692 preached in Wells at that time, and was appre- 
hended at the Meeting House on the Sabbath. But 
nothing of this kind appears ®n any record. It is pro- 
bable that the people were destitute of preaching for se- 
veral years toward the close of the century. At that 
time, almost every settlement in Maine was broken up 
by the Savages, and that at WeUs very narrowly esca- 
ped. 



**'Dr. Johi Bussvfss the Minister and Physician of Durham for many 
years, had the reputation of a pi«us man, and died there at the advanwd 
age of io8,'; 



WELLS. SI 

In 1701 the religious afiairs of the town assumed a 
more flourishing aspect. Whether there was any par- 
ticular attention to religion here at the time, Is unknown. 
But the Society took a more distinct form ; twelve men 
subscribed the usual Covenant engagements, and be- 
came a Church of Christ.* Mr. Samuel Emery had 
been preaching In the town for some time, and had re- 
ceived an invitation from the people to settle among 
them. He was accordingly ordained Pastor of this 
Church Oct. 29, 1701. The Churches assisting on this 
occasion were those of Newbury, Dover, Portsmouth, 
and York. — Mr. Emery lived about twenty four years 
after his ordination, and was succeeded in the Ministry 
by llev. Samuel JefTerds. Mr. Jefferds was the son of 
Simon Jeiferds, and was born in Salem in Massachu- 
setts. He was educated at Harvard College, and was 
graduated in 1722. After this he kept a School at 
Beverly where he studied Divinity, and was ordained 
at Wells in 1725 at the age of twenty one years. It 
was in the early part of Mr. JefFerds* ministry that the 
spot now occupied as a Parsonage became such, and the 
house now standing was built. Mr. Jefferds died at the 
age of 48 in February 1752, and after a vacancy of 
nearly two years, Mr. Samuel Fayrweather was invited 
to settle v/ith the people. He returned an ansvver in the 
affirmative, but much opposition being made, the Coun- 
cil declined ordaining him.f In Feb. 1754, Rev. Gi- 

♦ The names of the original rnemhers of the Church were— John Whee). 
•wrli^ht, William Sayer, Josiah Littleficld, Jonathan Littlefieid, Samuel Hili, 
Josc't^h Hill, Daniel L^ttlefield, Natlianiel ClarV, Thomas Easton, Nathaniel 
Clayes, Jame» Adams, Jeremiah Storer. 

t See Appendix No. i. 



SS CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

deon Richardson of Sudbury In Massachusetts, was or- 
dained at Wells, but lived only four years. Soon after 
the death of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Moses Hemmenway, 
a graduate from Harvard College, and a native of Fra* 
mingham in Massachusetts, v^as employed to preach on 
probation, and on Aug. 8, 1759 he was ordained to the 
pastoral care of the Church. At an early period in life 
Rev. Mr. Hemmenway received a doctorate from Har- 
vard College, and through the whole course of his life 
he was distinguished for his patient study, and laborious 
investigation of some of the most abstruse points In Di- 
vinity. His ministry in Wells was protracted through 
more than half a century. It was uncommonly peace- 
ful and happy* Toward the close of the year 1810, 
Dr. Hemmenway's health became so much Impaired, 
that the Church and people began to consider It neces- 
sary to obtain some assistance for him. Mr. Benjamin 
White was accordingly employed to preach on proba* 
tion with a view to settlement, and In Feb. 1811 receiv- 
ed a call to settle as colleague Pastor with Dr. Hem- 
menway. Before Mr. White had opportunity to give 
an answer Dr. Hemmenway died. This took place on 
the 5th of April. Mr. White returned to Wells in May, 
and was ordained in June following. Toward the close 
©f the same year, Mr. White's health began rapidly to 
decline, and after repeated relaxations from labour, and 
journeyings to regain his health, he died at his Father's 
house in Thetfo-rd, Vt. March 23nd 1814, at the age of 
thirty three. — In October of the same year the Church 



Sec Appendix No. 2*. 



WELLS. 2o 

invited Mr. David Oliphant to take the pastoral care of 
them, which he declined. The present Pastor of the 
Church v^as ordained March 8th, 1815. From the 
first settlement until the year 1750, the whole town, 
which then contained about 1000 inhabitants, constitu- 
ted but one religious Society. Seven years before this 
time suadry brethren of the Church living at Kenne- 
bunk landing, had obtained leave of the Church to hold 
separate meetings in the winter season. This was the 
beginning of the second Parish. As the population in- 
creased there it became expedient that they should be- 
come a separate Society, and in 1750 the Parish and 
Church were regularly constituted, and Rev. Daniel 
JLittle was ordained over them. For nearly fifty 
years Mr. Little continued to perform all the pastoral 
duties as among that people. When he became infirm 
several candidates were employed to assist him 
with a view to the settlement of a colleague. — Mr. 
jJohn Pipon, who was afterward settled in Taunton, 
jMass. received a call, but declined. In Aug. 1800 the 
present minister. Rev. Nathaniel Hill Fletcher, was or- 
dained as Colleague Pastor. Mr. Little died suddenly 
in Odober of the following year. The state of the 
Church in Wells has been generally flourishing. Three 
times since its organization it has been favored with a 
gracious outpouring of the Spirit, viz. in the years 1741 
and *42, in the year 1756, and in the year 1811; 
the first being under the ministry of Mr. JefFerds, the 
fecond under that of Mr. Richardson, and the third un- 
der that of Mr. White. The beginning of Mr. Jefferds* 
ministry wa§ prosperous, and a coasidcrable number 



S45 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

were admitted to full communion within a year after ] 
his ordination. But in the year 174«1 and onward, di- 
vine influences were bestowed copiously throughout 
New England, and the Church at Wells appears to have 
received her full share. Mr. Jefferd's attestation to tlie 
power of God displayed is found among others in the 
** Christian History" published about that time. No 
written account of this season of refreshing has reached 
us, and consequently we shall look in vain for particu- 
lars respecting it. From the appearance of the Church 
Record however, it seems that the awakening commenc- 
ed toward the close of 1 740, and continued between one 
and two years. Within three months from January 
174<1, thirty-nine persons were admitted to the church, 
and during the whole season of awakening, seventy-one 
persons were admitted to communion ; and from the 
known character of Mr. Jefferds, it is to be presumed 
they all gave satisfactory evidence of a change of heart. 

The revival in 1756, took place soon after the great 
earthquake. That providence roused the people great- 
ly, and is said to have had much effect on the mind of 
Mr. Richardson, their minister. He evidenly became j 
more engaged from that time, and in the course of one 
year, forty»one persons made public profession of reli- 
gion. 

From that time a gradual decline could be traced, and 
for fifty-five years divine influences were generally with- , 
held, and although the people were ftill favored with a I 
faithful minister, no particular attention to religion ap- 
peared, Mr. White came to Wells as before stated in 
the autumn of 1810. Some of his first sermons madf^ 



VrELLS. 2^ 

lasting impresslftns on tlie minds of the people. To- 
ward spring the people became more interested, and In 
the course of the summer the attention becam.e general 
through the Parish. The Spirit was evidently poured 
out from on high. " The Lord gave the word," and 
many fell before it. The seed sown for years be- 
fore, now appeared to spring up, and bear fruit. Mr. 
White,being soon taken from his labours by sickness, did 
not live to gather into the Church more than one half 
■of those who were hopefully converted by his instru- 
mentality. The others have been added since. 



c 



/^U CONGlJEGATIOXALiSTS. 

CHAPTER IIL 

THE next religious establishments which were made 
in Maine, were in the territory anciently called Piscata- 
qua, comprehending what is now the towns of Kittery, 
Eliot, Berwick and South Berwick. 

Scattered settlements were made within these limits 
very early, and the territory was formally granted by Wal- 
ter Neal, agent for Gorges and Mason, from 1632 and 
onward. The settlement which was commenced at Ber- 
wick landing, called by the Indians, Quampeagan, in- 
creased most rapidly, and w^as called " The parish of 
Unity." The whole grant bore the name of Piscataqua, 
until about the time of the submission to Massachusetts, 
in 1652, when it was all called Kittery, which name it 
retained until 1713, when by an act of the Court, the 
upper Parish was incorporated into a town by the name 
of Berwick. The divisions between Kittery and Eliot, 
and between Berwick and South Berwick, are of more 
recent date. Although it does not appear that any 
church was gathered in this region until the com- 
mencement of the ISth century, yet the people were 
making provision for a regular establishment. 

In July 1669 it was voted In town meeting to lay 
out 150 acres of land for the use of the ministry in 
each division of the town.* Settlements were then 
making on the point, opposite to Portsmouth, at " Stur" 
geon Creek," nov/ Eliot, and at Quampeagan landing, 



* Kittery town Records. 



BERWICK, KITTEUY. 27 



now South Berwick, and it is highly probable that the 
parsonages at these three places, were located at that 
t'Tne. For many years, towards the close of that cen- 
tary, the Indians were exceedingly troublesome ; many 
of the settlements in Maine were destroyed; the Coun- 
ty of York was often the seat of war, and the people 
could do little for religious purposes. 

The first regular religious establishment, within the 
limits of ancient Piscataqaa, w-as at Quampeagan land- 
ing. Mr. John Wade was employed to preach there 
about the year 1700, and received a regular salary as 
the Minister of the town. But as yet there was no 
Church. A meeting house was built near the pbce 
where the meeting house now stands. Toward the 
close of 1701 it seems probable that there was some spe- 
cial attention to religion among the people, and mea- 
sures W'Cre taken for the regular organization of a 
Church. After repeated meetings for this purpose, a 
Church was duly organized by a Council consisting of 
the Churclies of Somersworth, York, and VVells. I'hc 
prudent caution and fidelity of Mr. Wade, in the im- 
portant matter of embodying this Church, are well wor- 
thy the attention of Ministers, and if his example were 
followed to this day, in gathering churches and admit- 
ting members, many strifes and schisms might be pre- 
vented.* This new Church immediately invited Mr. 
Wade to take the pastoral oversight of them, which he 
accepted, and was ordained in Nov. 1702. But his 
ministry was of short duration, for he was suddenly tak- 



* See Appendix No. 3. 



'^ COXGREGATIONALlSrS. 

en from them by death In about one year from the time- 
of his settlement. The people were now left destitute 
of stated preaching for more than three years ; but in 
November, 1707, Rev. Jeremiah Wise was ordained 
over them. The minlftry of Mr. Wise was marked 
r^'iih no special occurrence. It was long and peaceful. 
He remained Pastor of the Church more than forty 
eight years, and died Jan. 20, 1756.* After the death 
of Mr. Wise, the people soon employed Mr. Jacob Fos- 
ter to preach as a candidate, and in vSept. of the same 
year he was ordained. Rev. Mr. Foster remained at 
Berwick twenty one years ; and in 1777, finding it dif- 
ficult to support his family, he solicited a dismission, I 
which was granted, and he became a Chaplain in the 
revolutionary army.-j- During the remainder of the 
war, the Church at Berwick was destitute of a stated 
Pastor. In the early part of 1783, they presented "a 
call to Rev. John Thompson, who had formerly been 
settled at Standish, and in May of that year, lie was in- 
stalled He is their present Minister. No general re- i 
vlval of religion has ever distinguished the annals of 
this Church. The present number of members is small, 
but the Society is respectable, and is in possession of 



* Rev. John Barnard who was sctitled ?t Marblehe^d, and died thf re Jan; 
a4, 1770, li a letter to Dr. Stiles, dated Oct. i6, 1767, has a •' Vut cf exctl- 
kiit !v.eii whom he knew." Airong them Are the names of Samuel Moody 
of York, and Jeremi.ih Wne of Berwick. He adds at the bottom— ' THcnc 
were all men of learnnig, pious, humble, prudent, faithful, and useful men 
ip their day." Hist. Coll. Vol. 10, p. 170. 

tin 17S1 Mr. Fo.ster \vs,« inftalled in P4ckersfield in Cheshire County, N. H. 
2ud dismissed from that plicc iri nhout 10 ycar.s afrfr, ?rt Belkn^i.'s IJlst. 
vol. 3, p. ^?«. 



property, which, !f propeily managed, will always ena. 
h\e them with ease to themselves to afford their minis- 
ter a handsome support. They have a decent Parson- 
age house and about ten acres of land adjoining the 
Meeting House. They have also a tract of land at some 
distance, said to be worth 2000 dolls, which they have 
recently obtained leave to sell, and trustees are already 
incorporated to manage the funds. Added to this, the 
late Gen. John Lord generously gave 1500 dolls, for 
the use of the Congregational Society in South Ber- 
wick. 

The second Church, organized within the ancient lim- 
its of Piscataqua, was on Kittery point. Some few settle- 
ments had been made here very early. The place was 
advantageously situated for pursuing the fishing busi- 
ness, and families were thus encouraged to sit down 
there. Sir. William Pepperell lived and died here, and 
was one of the original members ©f the Church. Pro- 
vision had been made for a parsonage at this place, as 
we have before remarked, in 1669 ; but there is no ev- 
idence that any Minister was ordained at Kittery, or 
preached statedly here, for thirty years after, until the 
settlement of the Rev. John Newmarch.* He was 
graduated at Harvard College in 1690. In 1699 he 
was living at Kittery Point, was married there, and 
had land granted him as Minister of the town.-j- He 
continued at Kittery until 1714', before a Church was 

♦ Kittery Town Records. 

+ Mr. Backus in relating the account of an ancient Baptist Church atJiit 
tcry, mentions a Mr. Woodnridge as " Priest of the place.'' Tliis was ir. 
i6So. But we have no other account of this man. 



30 COXGREGATIONALISTS. 

gathered, and was hired from year to year as a Preacher. 
On Nov. 4, 1714, a Church, consisting of 18 males and 
25 females, was duly organized, and Mr. Newmarch 
ordained. The Churches assisting on this occasion, were 
those of Portsmouth, York, Wells, Berwick and New- 
Castle. Mr. Newmarch lived on the westerly side of 
the Creek, near the Ferry. Ke eoniinued to preach 
cr n^tantly until June 1750, nearly sixty years from his 
first settlement in the town. At this time he made a 
statement to the Church concerning his infirmities, de- 
siring assistance, and the people em})loyed Mr. Benja- 
min Stevens as a Candidate, who was ordained as Col- 
league Pastor, May J, 1751. Mr. Newmarch then re- 
linquished his minrsterial labors, and died at an advan- 
ced age, Jan. 15th, 1754. The ministry of Dr. Stevens 
continued forty years. The Society appeared pros per- 
rons the greater part of the time, but there being no 
special revival of religion, the Church declined, and at 
his death but few male members were left. Dr. Ste- 
vens died suddenly, May 18th, 1791. 

The people were defiitute of preaching but a few 
months, and in little m.ore than a year. Rev. Jonas 
Hartwell was ordained Pastor of the Church. In con- 
sequence of Mr Hartwell's conduct, his ministry ex- 
hibited a mournful picture, and was terminated by his 
dismission in May 1798. In December of the same 
year, Rev. William Briggs was ordained. He also was 
dismissed in 1814, and for several years the people 
made no attempt to settle another. It does not appear 
that the place was ever visited with a copious " out- 
ppuring" of the Spirit of God, except this may have 



been the case In the year 174;!, vvlien it appears that a 
considerable number were added to the Church. The 
Church was organized on evangeHcal principles,* and 
for any thing that appears to the contrary, was as pros- 
perous as is usual for any Church not visited with spe- 
cial revivals of religion, for nearly fifty years. Since 
that time, a visible decline has marked their history. — ■ 
Few were added to the Church, not enough to fill the 
vacancies made by death. When Mr. Briggs was dismiss- 
ed, not a male member was left. The last, besides 
himself, Richard Cutts, Esq, died m Sept. 1810, and but 
3 females then remained. Mr. Briggs did not administer 
the Lord's supper for nearly five years before his dis* 
mission, and then females served the Table. But there 
is some reason to hope that a brighter day is yet to 
dawn upon this people. In the winter of 1820, the 
Maine Missionary Society supplied them with preaching 
for a few weeks. The people became interested, and 
employed the preacher for a longer term. Divine In- 
fluences were afforded in a small degree, and in May of 
that year, several of the neighboring minrsters were call- 
ed in, to hold with them a day of prayer ; five mem- 
bers were added to the almoftextinct remains of the an- 
cient Church, and after eleven years of desolation, the 
sacrament of the Lord's supper was again adminiftered 
among them. Their present Minister, Rev. Stephen 
Merrill was then preaching there. He was ordained in 
June 182L 

The Church at^Eliot bears the next date. About the 



♦ See Appemtlx No. 4, 



'S2> CONGUEGAIiO.NALlSTS. 

time that the town of Berwick was mcorporated, 
(1713) what remained of the town of KIttery was divi- 
ded into two parishes, and in the north parish measures 
were taken for the employment of a Minister about the 
same time as at the point below. In the year 1714, a 
Mr. Fisk was invited to settle there in the ministry but 
declined. The following year Mr. John Rogers was in- 
vited to preach on probation. His labours proving ac- 
ceptable, he was continued among them from year to 
year until suitable materials were found for constituting 
a Church. On the 22d of June 1721, a Church was 
duly organized by a council convened for that purpose,* 
and on the 25th of October following, Rev. Mr. Rog- 
ers was ordained. He continued in the Ministry 
about fifty two years, but being unable to preach 
toward the close of his life, his Church and people pro- 
vided a Colleague for him. This was Rev. Alpheus 
Spring, who was ordained June 29th, 1768, five years 
before the death of Mr. Rogers. Mr. Spring was much 
beloved by his people and highly respected by his bre- 
thren in the ministry. But his life was not long. He 
died suddenly of a fever June 14th, 1791, after a minis- 
try of twenty three years. His immediate successor was 
the present Pastor of that Church Rev. Samuel Chand- 
ler, who was ordained Oct. 17th, 1792. The state of 
that Church has been generally flourishing. Twice 
since its formation an attention to religion has been ge- 
neral through the parish ; once during the ministry of 
Mr. Rogers, about the year 1742, and once under 



* Dover Chmth Rtvord?. 



BERWICK, KITTERY. 3g 

ihe ministry of Mr. Chandler, in the year 1815. 

Since the formation of the Church to the present time 
there have been added to it 338 persons, 140 were ad- 
ded by Mr. Rogers, 51 by Mr. Spring, and 147 by Mr. 
Chandler. The present number of communicants is 
125. Until the year 1750, all the people in the lower 
part of Kittery toward the sea, attended on the minis- 
try of Mr. Newmarch. But about the time Dr. Ste- 
vens was settled, sundry brethren of the Church living 
at what was called "Spruce Creek," petitioned to be 
dismissed and formed into a new Church, and being 
joined by others in the same part of the town, a" separa- 
tion was amicably effected. On the 1 9th of Sept. 1750, 
a Church was organized by Rev. Ward Cotton of 
Hampton, New-Hampshire, and the same day. Rev. 
Josiah Chace was ordained. Mr. Chace lived tv/enty 
eight years after his ordination, and died suddenly Dec. 
10, 1778. A little religious excitement took place in 
this parish soon after the great earthquake, in 1755, but 
the Records of the Church are imperfect, and but little 
distinct inform. ition can be obtained. After the death 
ef Mr. Chace the people were destitute of preaching 
nearly four years. In July 1782, Rev. Joseph Litch- 
field was ordained among them, and is their present 
Minister. 

The whole Church originally organized at Quam- 
peagan landing by Mr. Wade, continued under the pasto- 
ral care of his successor for nearly fifty years. But the 
town was large, and the inhabitants had spread them- 
selves into the northerly, and northv.^esterly parts o{ it, 
so that the erection of a second parish became expedient 



34« CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

for the convenience of the people. Therefore in 1751, 
the town was divided into two parishes, and a new 
meeting house built on what was called "Blackberry- 
hill." Measures were soon taken to obtain the regular 
administration of divine ordinances, and application was 
made to the "Boston Presbytery," for a supply.* But 
failing in this application, they soon procured Mr. John 
Morse, a very serious and godly young man, who had 
recently been pursuing theological studies with Rev. 
Mr. Jefferds of Wells. The members of the first Church 
who lived in the second Parish, were now formally dis- 
missed, and' being joined by some others, they were 
organized as a Churxh March 13, 1755. They then 
proceeded to make choice of Mr. Morse as their Pastor, 
and on the 30th of April following, he was ordained 
over them. Mr. Morse lived happily and usefully with 
the people a little short of ten years, when he died, and 
after a vacancy of about ten months, he was succeeded 
by Rev. Matthew Merriam, who was ordained at Bei- 
wlck in Sept. 1765. Mr. Merriam died in Jan. 1797» 
and was succeeded in October of the same year by Rev. 
Joseph Hilliard, who is the present minister. 

The two Congregational parishes in Berwick con- 
tinued as such until Feb. 1814, when the first Parish 
obtained a separate act of incorporation as the town of 
South Berwick. Thus the original plantation of Piscat- 
aqua is no longer known, and the towns of Kittery, 
Ehot, Berwick, and South-Berwick are found in it? 
stead. 



*PIes^;tcrian F.ecerUs for Auz- 1753. 



PORTLAND. 35 

CHAPTER IV. 

17^7. 

'J.'HE next Churches which claim our attention, are 
ihofe which were organized within the limits of ancient 
Falmouth. The lands around Cafco Bay were occu- 
pied very early by traders or fishermen who did not ex- 
pert to reside oa them, but who sold their privileges or 
rights of occupancy to others, as salted their conve- 
nience ; and the first settlements here were consequent- 
ly fluctuating. The earliest permanent settlement in 
this region, was made on the south easterly side of Cape 
Elizabeth, and on Richmonds Island * Grants to indi- 
viduals were made of the lands in what is now Port- 
land, Falmoutli, Cape Elizabeth, and Westbrook, from 
the year 1613 and onward ; but the inhabitants were 
few and scattered, no very regular order was observed, 
the Indians were troublesome, and in 1692 the town 
was wholly broken up by the Savages, and for about 
sixteen years it lay waste. In the beginning of the 
next Century the inhabitants gradually returned, new 
settlers came in, the conflicting claims for land were 
amicably adjusted, and the town of Falmouth was incor- 
porated under the authority of Massachusetts, in 1718 f 
«< The records," says Gov. Sullivan, " if there were any 
before the year 1692 were not preserved, although there 
was no other town which was then broken up, where 
the records were not saved ; but there was no other 
place where the desolation was so complete, as it was 



♦ Sec thipter 23, t ?ullivaa page 197. 



36 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

in the town of Falmouth." It is in vain therefore that 
we look for any particular information on ecclesiastical 
subjects relating to Falmouth prior to the establishment 
of the town in 1718. As soon as they were comforta- 
bly settled again the people appear to have sought the 
stated ordinances of religion. Rev. Thomas Smith was 
the first minister of Falmouth. He was the son of 
Thomas Smith Esq. of Boston, and was born there 
March 10, 1702. At the age of fourteen years he en- 
tered Harvard College, and at the age of twenty two 
commenced preaching. After officiating with applause 
in Boston, and in different parts of the adjacent country, 
and having declined several invitations to settle, he was 
induced about the beginning of the year 1726, to pro- 
ceed to Falmouth, to act in the double capacity of Chap- 
lain to the troops stationed here, and preached to the 
people, who at that time consisted of not more than for- 
ty families. After a residence among them of about 
a year, the people unanimously gave him an invitation 
to settle, which he accepted. A council was according- 
ly invited, and on the 8th of March 1727, a Church was 
organized and Mr. Smith ordained. ♦ The Churches 
assisting on this occasion were those of York, Wells, 
Berwick, and Kittery, there being none others in the 
then District of Maine. Mr. Smith's pastoral charge 
Was very extensive in territory. For the first seven years 
of his ministry he preached alternately at what is now 
Portland, In a block-house on Purpoodoc point, and in a 



* Di\ Deane's Sctmon on the death of Mr, limuh, pages i8, ip. 



PORTLAND. S7 

c>rirrison at Spurrjjlnd.* The settlement on Cape Eliza- 
beth soon became considerable, and In 1734 five breth- 
ren were dismissed fiom the Church in order to the gath- 
ering of a new Church " on Purpoodoc side of the riv- 
er." Mr. Smith's labours were now confined to Port- 
Lind and Falmouth. But a settlemiCnt having been made 
in the northerly part of the town, called New Casco, 
:ying principally eastward of Presumscot river, the peO" 
pie there found it inconvenient to attend meeting in what 
is now Portland, especially in the winter season. Where- 
upon in Jan. 1735 they petitioned the Parish for a sep- 
arate supply of preaching during the winter, which re- 
quest was granted, and for that and the following win- 
ter, and probably somewhat longer, they were supplied 
with preaching at the expense of the Parish. Mr. Smith 
continued his ministrations at Portland, and for about 
sixteen years longer the people at New-Casco remained 
attached to the Parish, with occasional preaching among 
themselves. In April 1752 they petitioned to be set 
off as a distinct society, which request was granted in 
December following. In about six years after this, some 
movements were made for the erection of a fourth Par- 
ish In Falmouth, to be taken partly out of v.-hat remain- 
ed to Mr. Smith, and partly from Cape Elizabeth Parish, 
and it was finally accomplished In March 17'il' f Mr. 
Smith was now sixty two years of age, and had been 



* This is the Indian name of a river running through a part of Cape Elit' 
abeth, and the settlement near RichmonA'-f Island still retaii^s this name, 
Purpoodoc is the point uireccly opposite to Portland, 
f Records of the first Parish in Portland . 

i) 



38 C(JKGl{EGA'l lONALISTS. 

labouring with that people thirty-seven years since his 
ordination. He had seen the wilderness around him be- 
come a fruitful field, and his large range of territory 
with only here and there a dwelling, changed into three 
well organized parishes, beside what still remained as 
his own peculiar charge. But Mr. Smith being now too 
far advanced in years and too feeble to bear the whole 
charge alone. Rev. Samuel Deane was invited to settle 
as colleague pastor in July 1764, and was ordained in 
October following. Mr. Smith continued, however, to 
pieach in his turn until the close of the year ITS-i, and 
after that assisted occasionally in public prayer for eight 
or nine years longer. He died in May 1795, at the ad- 
vanced age of 93 years. In April 1786, the territory 
belonging to the first Parish in Falmouth became a new 
town by the name of Portland. The place increased 
rapidly, rose Phoenix-like from its ashes, and several new 
societies were formed. Dr. Deane continued to labour 
alone for about fourteen years after the death of Mr. 
Smith. In 1806 the Parish voted to procure an as- 
sistant some part of the year. In 1808 Mr. John Cod- 
man, since settled in Dorchester, was engaged to preach 
for a short time, and in October of that year, the Church 
gave him a call to settle with them. The Parish how- 
ever negatived the call. In the beginning of 1809, Mr. 
Ichabod Nichols was employed to preach on probation, 
received a call, and was ordained colleague Pastor in 
June of that year. Dr. Deane died in the autumn of 
1814, and Rev. Mr. Nichols remains sole Pastor of the 
Church. We now icturn to trace the several Churches 
which eiiher sprang from this ancient stock, or have 



CAPE ELIZABETH. 89 

grown up beside it. The second Church wiJiin the lim- 
>t;s of ancient falmouth, was that in Cape Ehzabetli. 
We have already mentioned the dismission of five breth- 
ren from the ancient Church to constitute a new one 
here. They were joined by six others, and the Church 
^vas organized in IVS-i. * A Mr. Henry from Scotland 
■lad preached on Cape I'.lizabeth, but at what period 
IS not certainly known. The year in which the Church 

; was organized, Rev, Benjamin Allen had preached 
there, and was gathered into the Church at its organiza- 
tion. Mr. Alien was the first Minister in the South Pa- 
rish in Bridgwater and was ordained therein July 1718, 

i and after about ten years was dismissed and came to 
Falmouth, f It was probably with a view. to his set- 
tlement that the Church was organized, as he was in- 
stalled its Pastor in November of that year. Mr. Allen 

j lived after his settlement at Cape Elizabeth about twen- 

*ty years, and died May 6, 1754-, aged 65. 

In about two years after the decease of Mr. Allen 
Rev. Ephraim Clark was installed to the Pastoral care 
of the Church. He had been for a few years Pastor of 
a Church in Boston, and had recently been dismissed. 
His Ministry at Cape Elizabeth continued forty one 
years. He died suddenly Dec. 11th, 1797 at the age of 
75 years. 



*The names of those dismissed from the 1st Church were as follow :— 
John Armstrong, William Jennison, Robert Means, Robert Thorndike, and 
Jonathan Cob. There art no records of the Church to be found for the first 
twenty years of its existence, and but a few fragments for 43 years suc- 
ceeding that period, 

•f His. Coll. New Sejics vol. 7 page 1^4, 



^0 CON G REG A I 10 N ALISTS. 

For nearly four succeeding years the people had no 
regular preaching, but in 1801 having obtained as a can- 
didate Mr. William Gregg, measures were taken for his 
settlement ^But the Church was nearly extinct, and no 
records being found, it was judged expedient to organ- 
ize one anew. Accordingly in June of that year a 
council was convened at Cape Elizabeth, a Church of 
nine members was organized, and Mr. Gregg ordained. 
In about six years the connexion between the Church and 
Rev. Mr. Gregg was dissolved by mutual consent. The 
next Pastor of the Church was Rev. Benjamin Sawyer. 
He was ordaiaied in tke year 1S09. Some difficulties 
soon arose which could not be controlled and in about 
three years Mr. Sawyer was dismissed. He is since set- 
tled in Amesbury in Massachusetts. 

After the dismission of Mr. Sawyer, the Church and 
people remained in a scattered and broken state for three 
or foiir years. Rev. Mr. Gregg was siill residing in the 
neighbourhood, and still unsettled, and the people of his 
former charge began to turn their eyes toward him a. 
gain. In Oct. 1815 the Church and Parish voted to 
recall Mr. Gregg to the Pastoral office among them, he 
was accordingly installed in January following, and he 
is the present Minister of that people. 

The third Parish in Falmouth, that at New Casco, as- 
we have already stated, was incorporated in Dec. IT 53a 
A Church was imn^ediately organized there, and pre- 
parations made for the settlement of a Minister. Mr. 
David Mitchell was the first candidate for settlement in 
this place. After him Mr. Isaac Nolcs preached on pro- 
!»ation. The attempts to settle both these gentlemen. 



FALMOUTH, ^VESTBROOK. 41 

proved unsuccessful, and the year 1755 found die peo- 
ple still destitute of stated preaching. But in Decem- 
ber of that year Mr. John Wiswall was invited to settle 
and was ordained Pastor of the Church early in 1756. 
Mr. Wiswall continued to preach in Falmouth but a 
short season. In 1764< in a very abrupt manner, and 
without any ecclesiastical formalities, he left his Pastoral 
charge. Toward the close of the same year Mr. Timo- 
thy Fuller received a call to settle, but declined. In 
August following Mr. Ebenezer Williams was Invited 
to take the Pastoral charge of this Church, which invi- 
tation he accepted, and was ordained in November 1765. 
Rev. Mr. Williams continued to labour with this people 
about thirty-four years, and in 1799, he was taken sud- 
denly away by a paralytic shock. For a few years the 
people were again destitute of stated preaching. Sev- 
eral candidates were employed, and in June 1803 Rev. 
William Miltemore, their present Minister, was ordained. 
The Parish in Strowdwater, now the town of West- 
brook, was incorporated as a fourth Parish in Falmouth 
in 1764'. In April of the following year a Church of 
thirteen members was organized there, eleven of whom 
were dismissed at that time from the ancient first 
Church, and at the same time Rev. Thomas Browne 
who had recently been dismissed from Marshfield in 
Massachusetts, was invited to take the Pastoral care of 
them. In August of that year Mr. Browne was install- 
ed, and continued in the Ministry there a little more 
than thirty two years. After a vacancy of about two 
years, in Oct. 1799, Rev. Caleb Bradley was ordained 

Pastor of that Church, and is the present Minister. 
D2 



4:6 CONGIIEGATIONALISTS, 

In tl:ie year 1787, about one year after the incorpora- 
lion of Portland as a distinct town, a new Congrega- 
tional Parish was organized there. Mr. Elijah KelUgg 
waii engaged as a preacher, and in October 1788, a 
Council was convened, who organized a Chuich, and 
ordained Mr. Kellogg to the Pastoral office over the 
same. In December 1807 Rev. Edward Payson was 
ordained as Colleague Pastor wath Rev. Mr. Kellogg, 
and for about four years they jointly occupied this field 
of labour. In Dec. 1811, Mr Kellogg was dismissed 
from his relation to the Church, and Mr. Payson re- 
mains its sole Pastor. Mr. Kellogg with a part of his 
original charge who chose to remain with him, were soon 
after organized as a distinct body, by the name of the 
** Chapel Congregational Church," and at the same 
time he was installed their Pastor. This event took 
place on the 18th of March 1812. In Oct. 1819 Rev. 
Thomas Jewe tt Murdock, was ordained Colleague Pas- 
tor of the Chapel Church with Rev. Mr. Kellogg, in 
■which office he remained till his connection with that 
society was dissolved in March 1821. Ii> the spring of 
1807, Rev. Jotham Sewall was engaged by some indi- 
viduals to preach in Portland for a few months. A 
Hall was procured for a place of Meeting, and the foun- 
dation of a new Congregational Society was laid. 
In the autumn of the same year Mr. Sewall organized 
a Church. A meeting-house was built, a Society col- 
lected, and in the spring of 1808, Rev. Nathan Sydney 
Smith Beeman was ordained as Pastor of that Church, 
and Minister of that people. His ministry however was 
but of short duration. In the year 1811 he was dis- 



FORTLAJ^D. 48 

;ised on account of ill health, and removed to Geor- 
;.;Ui. The Society being small did not employ another 
candidate for settlement, but soon mingled with other 
Societies. The Church kept together for several years, 
but at length, in the spring of 1820, they united with 
the second Church in the towh under the care of Rev. 
Mr. Paysoii. 

Thus in the space of ninety three years, six Congre- 
gational Churches have arisen where a feeble one of only 
ten male members then existed ; and in the place where 
less than fifty families could then be numbered, there 
are now four towns, containing in all more than 12,000 
inhabitants, who worship in no less than thirteen Socle- 
ties of the different denominations of Christians.. 



4^' C0NGREGATI0NALISTv9* 

CHAPTER V. 

The Church in Scarborough next claims our attention; 
Two small settlements were made in the town soon af- 
ter the settlement of Cape Elizabeth in 1640, one on 
the point east of the great marsh, and the other on the 
western side ; the former known by the name of "Black 
Point," and the latter « Blue Point," and afterwards bet- 
ter known by the name of " Dunstan." Like most of 
their Brethren in New-England, while their settlement 
was yet inconsiderable, their numbers small, and the 
people frequently harrassed by the Indians, they took 
measures for the support of the Gospel among them. 
The settlement advanced but slowly, and in 1681 there 
were but fifty six male inhabitants in the town ; yet in 
December of that year the Selectmen were empowered 
by a vote in town meeting to agree with a Mr. Black- 
man to preach in Scarborough for one year. In July 
following arrangements were made to settle the sam.e man 
in the ministry there, by disposing of land to provide 
for his maintainance. 

How this matter ended is uncertain,but we find them 
soon destitute again, for on May 30th, 1684 the people 
assembled in town meeting, chose William Burrage* 
for their Minister. Mr. Barrage filled the offices of 
Town Clerk and Selectman, as well as Minister, and in 
several other respects was an important man in the town. 



♦ Burrage, or Burdg, or Burridg, or Burrcah, '"or the name is thus va- 
riously spelt in the ancient town record. 



SCAUBOKOUGH. 4i> 

He appears to have been the only Minister they had for 
toLir years. The year after Mr. Barrage was employed^ 
a meeting-house was built by a tax on the inhabitants. 
Such was the situation of the town that the people were 
not at first agreed concerning the spot where the meet- 
ing-house should stand, but the dispute was happily set- 
tled, and the house erected in the easterly part of the 
town, " on the plains near the fort," which was near to 
the spot where the meeting-house afterwards stood which 
Mr. Thompson occupied. A parsonage house was built, 
and ten acres of land adjoining it were also appropriat- 
ed. It was voted at the same time that the Minister's 
salary should be 50 pounds a year, and the parsonage. * 
In 1688 the Indians became so troublesome that the 
town was broken up, and abandoned or nearly so for 
thirty years. The reccords were carried to Boston for 
safety, and not returned until the year 1719. Probably 
the inhabitants had been returning for several years, yet 
it does not appear that any regular order was observed 
in the tov;n until 1720. Thirty one inhabitants had then 
returned. One of their first cares was to obtain a Min- 
ister, and although they were so few in num.ber, and had 
suffered such hardships, yet they made an immediate 
agreement with Rev. Hugh Campbell to preach to them 
a year, voting him 50/. salary, together with " meat, 
drink, washing, and lodging." Mr. Campbell remain- 
ed at Scarborough a little more than a year, w^hen some 
difficulty arising about his salary he left them. The 
former meeting-house was destroyed, probably by the- 



* Soarberough town records. 



46 COXGUEGATIONALISTS. 

Indians, and none as yet built, and the meetings on the 
Sabbath were held at the house of Roger Deering. 

In June 1722 Rev. Hugh Henry was employed to 
preach for three months. He continued to supply the 
people until March following and was employed for six 
months, and at the same meeting the town expressed a 
desire that he should engage with them by the year. 
This proposal he declined unless they would allow him 
an annual salary of 70/. which they refused. Mr. Hen- 
ry remained however at Scarborough, and probably 
preached there for more than two years longer, and In 
June 1 725 sued the town for his " wages." In Septem- 
ber a town meeting was called to deliberate upon the 
subject, and it was voted that Mr. Henry was not to be 
considered the Minister of Scarborough, and the Select- 
men were instructed to inform the General Court, and 
the neighbouring Ministers of these proceedings. * — 
Their object probably was to prevent Mr. Henry from 
obtaining the judgment of the Court against them, or 
any advantage by means of a Council. 

It Is not known at this day how the matter terminat- 
ed but we hear nothing further of Mr. Henry, f 

In Feb. 1726 the town appointed a Committee to seek 
for a Minister, and voted that he should preach alter- 
nately at Black Point and Dunstan. By this It appears 
that the settlements in the two sections of the town were 
equal or nearly so. This Committee were unsuccessful 



♦ Scarborough town Records. 

t Mr. Heory was probably the same man th.it preached at Cape Elizabeth, 
as has been reUted. But whetJier it was before or after his residence at 
•carborough )SunknGv.'n. Sov, Snilivan calls him a " very excentric man.' 



SCARBOROUGH. 4^ 

ill their applications, and the next year found tliem still 
destitute. 

Previous to this time, there is no evidence that a 
Church had been regularly organized in the town, or 
any formalities observed in the induction of Ministers to 
office. In the course of the summer of 1727, Mr. Wil- 
liam Thompson was employed as a preacher, and the 
Society began to assume a more regular form. A 
Church was organized on Congiegational principles, and 
on Sept II th of that year a call was presented to Mr. 
Thompson to take the pastoral oversight of the Church 
and become the Minister of the people. The salary of- 
fered him was 100/. the first year, 110/. the second year, 
120/. the third year, and so to continue. Mr. Thomp- 
son accepted the call, and was ordained. For the first 
thirteen years of his ministry he resided at Dunstan, and 
preached alterately tliere and at Black Point. As yet 
there was ro parsonage house but in 1732 the town 
voted to build one at Black Point, where the principal 
settlement wa> made, and at least half of the meetings 
held. At the same meeting, supposing the time was 
not far distant when a division of the town into Parishes 
would take place, it was voted that when the town should 
be able to support two Ministers, another should be set- 
tled at Dunstan at the expense of the whole town. This 
took place a few years after. Mr. Thompson continued 
his labours at Scarborough until his death which took 
place in Feb. 1759. The first regular supply for the 
pulpit which the people obtained after the death of Mr. 
Thompson was a Mr. Hill, who was employed for three 
laonths in June of the same year. At the commence- 



48 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

ment of the next year, a Mr. Ward was supplying them, 
and In May 1760, the Church and Parish concurred in 
an invitation to Mr. Nathaniel Noyes to become their 
Minister, which he declined, and was afterwards settled 
at South-Hampton in New-Hampshire. In February 
following the Church voted a call to Mr. John Fairfield* 
afterward the Minister of Saco ; but the Parish did not 
concur and they were again left destitute. During the 
summer another candidate was obtained, Mr. Phinehas 
Whitney, and in August, he also was invi ed to settle, 
but declined. He was afterwards the Minister of Shir- 
ly in Massachusetts. In March 1762, the Church and 
Parish again united in calling Mr. Samuel Foxcroft to 
the work of the ministry among them. He also declined, 
and was settled at New-Gloucester. Notwithstanding 
their frequent disappointments, the people were not dis- 
couraged from making another attempt. In the sum.- 
mer of that year Mr. Thomas Pierce was engaged to 
preach on probation, and in Sept. 1762 was invited to 
settle. Mr, Pierce was in favour of Presbyterian forms, 
and the Church and Parish consenting to receive them, 
he was ordained. As there were no Presbyterian Church- 
es in the vicinity, the ceremonies of ordination "were 
performed in the Presbyterian, meeting-house in New- 
buryport. The ministry of Rev. Mr. Pierce continued 
a little more than twelve years. He died Jan. 26, 1775. 
After the death of Mr. Pierce, the Church and people 
renounced Presbyter ianism, and becanne Congregational 
again, and in the autumn of the same year Rev. Thomas 
Lancaster was ordained over them, and is their present 
^linister. 



-t^CA 11 BOROUGH. 49 

The second Parish in Scarborough originated about 
the year 1734'. The settlement atDunstanhad increas- 
ed considerably, and the people became anxious to have 
preaching constantly. To save expense the Selectmen 
of the town were empowered to hire a School Master 
for that part of the town, who should be a Preacher also. 
But it does not appear that a supply was even obtained 
in this way. 

Rev. Richard Eivins Vv-as the first Minister of this 
second Parish. He came to Scarborough early in the 
year 174-4, received a call in August, and was ordained 
in November following. * About a month previous to 
the ordination fifteen brethren of the first Church in- 
cluding one Deacon, were dssmissed at their request in 
order to be embodyed Into a new Church at the expected 
settlement of Mr. Eivins, and in April following fifteen 
females were also dismissed, and received to the second 
Church. Thus a separation was amicably obtained, and 
until the death of Mr. Thompson both him and Mr. 
Eivins were supported by the town at large w^ithout any 
legal division of Parishes.f 

Mr. Eivins had been by trade a Baker in the towm of 
Salem in Massachusetts. He professed to be converted 
through the instrumentality of Mr. Whitefield during 
h\s first visit to America. He had not the advantage 



*0ii this occasion Mr. Wise of Berwick preached from i Tim. 4, i5, and 

gave the charge. Rev. Jede<liah Jewett o[ Rowley gave the right hand, Mr. 

Rodgers of Kittery made the first prayer, and Mr. Chandler of York the 

la»t. 
t The record of the First Pa.ish commence*) March z6, 1759, the month 

tt;ececding the death of Mr, Thompson. 

E 



OO CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

of a public education, but being a man of good under_ 
standing, some reading, and possessing ardent piety he 
was induced to enter the Ministry, and in the end, pro- 
ved a useful Minister of the sacred word. He usually 
preached without notes, but was capable of writing, and 
did occasionally make use of written sermons. A ser- 
mon of his on Rom. xvi. 26, — "The obedience of faith," 
preached July 26, 174-7, was printed, with a preface by 
Rev. Mr. Jewett of Rowley. This is perhaps the only 
publication of Mr. Elvins' which can be found at this 
day. This however is enough to convince posterity of 
the soundness of his mind, and the correctness of his 
religious sentiments. 

Mr. Elvins continued to labour in the ministry abput 
thirty one years. Toward th« close of his life he became 
feeble, and in Dec. 1770 the Church voted to invite a 
Mr. Marsh to settle as a Colleague, but he declining their 
invitation, no other person was invited, and after a long 
protracted illness Mr. Elvins departed this life August 
12, 1776. The Church was vacant hut a few months, 
for in December of the same year Rev. Benjamin Chad- 
wick was ordained its Pastor. Mr. Chadwick continued 
to preach for about eighteen years. He then lost his 
health, his mind became impaired, and it was thought 
expedient he should be dismissed. This took place in 
May 1795. After some years he regained his health in 
some degree, and preached a ^ttle, but was never em- 
ployed regularly again, and died in Nov. 1819. 

After the dismission of Mr. Chadwick the people were 
destitute of stated ordinances for five years. In Dec. 
1800 Rev. Natjhan Tiiton, their preeent Minister, was 
ordained* 



BIDDEFORD. ^1 

CHAPTER VI. 

1730. 

THE next religious establishments in point of time 
were those which were made in the region of Saco River. 
The settlements in all the ancient towns in the westerly 
part of Maine were first made on the sea shore, and un- 
til the year 17-50 all the travelling from Portsmouth 
eastward wa^ either on the beach or near it.* A small 
settlement was made at Cape Porpus as early as 1632,f 
and another at Winter Harbour about the same time. 
Those two settlements were but a few miles distant from 
each other, and v^^ere in several respects so much con- 
nected, as to render it proper to consider them in one 
Chapter. In a few years from the time of the first set- 
tlements inhabitants had planted themselves on the sea 
shore for several miles. The advantages for fishing in 
Saco River, and in the adjacent waters, drew hither a 
considerable number of persons before any regular grant 
of the soil had been obtained. After the grants were 
made a number of very respectable men settled at Saco, 
and that town assumed a regular form.:J: It was called 
Saco on both sides of the river until the year 1718. 
Among the first inhabitants were Richard B^enython, 
Richard Vines, Thomas Lewis, William PhilHps, and 
John Oldham, names well known in the annals of those 
days. The first record of the ancient town of Saco, in- 
cluding both Saco and Biddeford, commences with the 
year 16G3, ten years after the people had sbmitted to 



« Sullivan. -fWintlirop's Journal page 41. i?i:'livan- 



52 CONGREGATiaNALrlSTS. 

the government of Massachusetts. Francis Hookewaa 
then Town Clerk. At the time Massachusetts assumed 
the jurisdiction of Maine the towns were all thinly set* 
tied. Sixteen men only appeared as the inhabitants of 
Saco, and took the oath of allegiance. At this time 
there was no Minister of Saco, and probably no Church 
there. The record of the Commissioners Court held at 
Wells July 5th, 1653, at which time the government of 
Saco, and other towns was settled, contains the follow- 
ing paragraph : " the commissioners being informed 
that Saeo is destitute of a good Minister, where it is 
much desired that all due care be taken to attain the 
same, and in the mean time that their peace may be 
preserved, they do declare and order that Robert Booth 
shall have liberty to exercise his gifts for the edification 
of the people there.**"^ Mr. Booth was one of the prin- 
cipal inhabitants. He was for many years a Magis- 
trate, one of the Selectmen, and Town Clerk, and pro- 
bably being in high repute for his piety, was appointed 
to take the lead of a meeting for worbhip until a regular 
Minister should be obtained. This step seemed the 
more necessary at that time on account of a i-eligious 
pretender who had been troublesome in those days. At 
the same meeting of the Commissioners, several persons 
complained "that George Barlow is a disturbance to the 
place. The Cojnmissioners at their request, thought h 
meet to forbid the said Barlow any more publickly to 
preacli or prophecy there, under the penalty of teu 
pounds for every offence." 



*Com'T>iss'oncrs recowl rectted bv Sul'irHn page i^^. 



BIDDEFOHD. 58 

The first Minister of Saco, of \vhom there is any ac- 
count, was Rev. Seth Fietcher. He was employed by 
the town in 1666, and most probably continued there, 
hired from year to year, until 1675, when the town w-as 
nearly destroyed by the Savages. Still there is no evi- 
dence that any Church had been gathered. A house 
for worship was erected in 1674-, which being furnished 
with seats or benche* only, and not separate pews, the 
people were seated in order by the Selectmen, according 
to their rank, in December of that year.* For about 
forty years after this time, no records of the town can 
be found. Such were tlie troubles of the country at 
this period, that it is doubtful whether any records were 
kept, and it is quite probable also that the town was 
nearly abandoned by the white people. In 1717, the 
inhabitants had returned, and regular order was again 
observed. A certain Mi . Short was employed to preach 
at Saco that year. 

The following year the name of the ^,own was chan- 
ged to Biddeford. Both sides of the river w^as called 
by this name. It seems the State had assisted this in- 
fant colony in the support of a Minister, for in 1722, 
the town petitioned the General Court for a donation of 
40/. a year — "to pay a Minister, as they had done."\ 

About this time Rev. John Eveleth was pleaching at 
Cape Porpus, and at the annual meeting in March 1723, 
Humphrey Scamman and Ebenezer Hill were appoin- 
ted a committee to "discourse with Rev. Mr. Eveleth 
concerning preaching with them for a year.'* The re- 



*Bid'Jeford Pecord?; tibid. 



dd& C0NGREGATI0NAL1S-'F&. 

8ult of this conference was, that Mr. Eveleth preaciieci- 
»t Biddeford a part of the time for two or three years> 
But the people were anxious ta obtain- a candidate for 
settlement, and in March 1728 they voted to invite Mr « 
Maston Cabbot to settle with them, and o^ered him as 
a salary 80/. a year, exclusive of his board while he re- 
mained single. This offer he declined. In June of the 
next year, Mr, John Moody received a similar offer, but 
with great modesty he declined this invitation on ac- 
count of his youth, and as he supposed, his need of 
more^study. Soon after the departure of Mr. Moody, 
Mr. Samuel Willraid was employed to preach at Bid- 
deford on probation, and measures were sooa taken for 
h-is permanent establishment there. On Sept. 30th, 
1730, a council was convened, a Church organized on 
Congregational principles, and Rev. Mr. VVilliard or- 
dained. The sermon on that occasion was by Rev. 
Thomas Pain« of Weymouth, Mass. from Acts xxvi. 
17, 18. 

The ministry of Mr. Williard was of short duration, 
b^ut important in its consequences. A few years after 
his ordination a considerable attention to religion took 
place among the people of his peculiar charge, which 
had no smalj effect on his own mind. His biographer, 
Rev. Thomas Prentice formerly of Arundel, thus relates 
the change in his views at that time. " There evidently 
appeared a great change in his conversation, as also in 
his sentiments with regard to some points in religion, 
and in his preaching. He was then, as he often told me 
in conversation, brought to an inward sense of the im- 



lilDDElOlvD. 55 

poLeitt and miserable condiiion mankind are naturally 
in by their apostacy in our iirst parents ; of the sover- 
eignty arid glorious efficacy of divine grace in our Lord 
Jesus Christ ; and so he became fixed in the blessed Doc - 
trines of Grace, of which he was ever after a zealous 
Preacher and promoter. And O ! what admiring 
thoughts did he discover, of the wonderful method of 
our redemption by Jesus Christ. And especially with 
what meltings of aifection, w^ith what humihty and gra- 
titude have 1 heard him speak of the riches of God*s 
grace to him, in particular, and of the great alteration 
he found in himself. He would discourse with much 
openness on those points, and seemed always to have a 
most profound sense of the astonishing mercy of God 
therein displayed. He would frequently when talking 
of these things, break out in the language of the man, 
in the Gospel that was born blind, whom our Lord cu- 
red, "one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, nov/ I 
see." And after this, he evidently grew much in di- 
vine knowledge and grace, became moie and more 
serious, and circumspect, devout and heavenly, zealous 
and active, both as a Christian, and a Minister. But 
this excellent servant of Christ lived for several years 
much unobserved. His excessive modesty, with some 
difficulty in his worldly circumstances, concealed him 
much from public view. 'Till towards the close of his 
life, when it pleased God to favour him with such plen- 
tiful communications of divine Grace, and to inspire 
him wnth such a mighty love to Christ, and to the souls 
of men, as enabled him to overcome his difficulties, 



do COKGREGATIONALISTS. 

made him so freqiient and fervent in his labours, so 
lively and flaming in his ministry, that he was with ad- 
miration observed, and followed, as a bright Star in the 
east, appearing on purpose tb guide men to Christ. He 
broke out suddenly, as an heavenly Luminary from an 
interposing cloud, and shined forth with great lustre and 
influence, when he was going from us. But this excel- 
lent man soon finished his course, and withdrev/ frora 
our world." — Such is the account given us by Mr. 
Prentice, of this truly devoted servant of the Lord. 
But his days were soon numbered. Mr. Williard lived 
about eleven years after his ordination. In the year 
174<l,that shower of mercy which afterward so copious- 
ly refreshed the Churches in New-England, was begin- 
ning to descend on this part of the land. Mr. Wil- 
liard, as might well be supposed, became warmly enga- 
ged, and greatly interested, and seized every opportu- 
nity to visit those places where the divine influences 
were most manifest. In October of that year he visited 
Rev. Mr. Rogers' parish in Kittery, (now Eliot) and 
while engaged in preaching a Lecture he was suddenly 
attacked with a disorder in the throat. With some di£» 
fieulty he finished the public exercise, and retired to the 
house of Mr. Rogers, where he died in great peace of 
mind in less than two days. He was buried at Kittery. 
Mr. Rogers preached on 4he occasion from Luke xii. 
43, 44. This sorrowful providence was greatly bles- 
sed to the people at Biddeford, as it proved the occa- 
sion of an uncommon attention to religion among them 



SACO. 57 

humediately after.* Early in the following year Mr, 
Moses Morrill was engaged to supply the pulpit at Bid. 
deford. Mr. Morrill was a native of Salisbury in Mas- 
sachusetts, and had received the honors of Harvard 
College at a very early age, as he had scarcely num- 
bered twenty years when he came to Biddeford. He 
sooH received a call to settle, and was ordained in Sep- 
tember 1742. The Ministry of Rev. Mr. Moriil 
continued happily, usefully, and peacefully for a little 
more than thirty five years. In the autumn of 1777 
he began to decline, and after a confinement of about 
nine weeks he died in February 1778, at the age of 56 
years. 

The present Pastor of that Church, Rev. Nathaniel 
Webster, was employed as a candidate at Biddeford to- 
ward the close of the same season, and was ordained 
April H', 1779. 

During the life of Mr. Williard all the inhabitants of 
the town comprehending what is now the towm of Saco 
as well as Biddeford, attended upon his ministrations. 
Toward tht close of his life a considerable settlement 
was made at what is now Saco village, and about ten 
years after the settlement of Mr. Morrill the old Meet- 
ing House at Saco was built. In 1762, the town of 
Biddeford was divided, and the eastern part called Pep- 
perellborough, which name it retained until June 1803, 



♦ Rev, Mr. Williard left a Widow, three sons and one daughter, all la 
deceut cjrtumstanccs. His Widow was afterward married to Rev. Mr. EI- 
vinsof Scarhorough, liis daughter to Rev. Mr^ Chadwick of Scarborough, 
.\nA one of his sons (Joseph) was afterwards President of Harvard Collc^p ; 
ii fulfilment pcv?upi of the tnomlse 5n Pjft'ms ^:, it. 



58 COXGUEGATIONALISTS. 

when it was changed to Saco. In Oct. 1762 a day of 
Fasting was held by the people, and a Church of eleven 
members duly organized. The new Church imme- 
diately presented a call to Mr. John Fairfield to becoihe 
their Minister, and he was ordained on the 27th of the 
same month. Mr. Morril of Biddeford preacl:ed on 
that occasion. Mr. Fairfield continued in the ministry 
at Saco a little more than thiity four years. Religion 
had been in a low state daring the whole of his ministry. 
But nine persons had been received to full communion 
during the whole term of his continuance. Considering 
these circumstances Mr. Fairfield was iiKluced to ask a 
dismission, ar.d in April 1798 the town voted to dismiss 
him at his request, and cook measures to procure an 
ether Candidate. Mr. Fairfield still retained his pastoral 
relation to the Church. 

In July of the year in which Mr. Fairfield was dis- 
missed, Mr. Caleb Bradley, since the Minister of West- 
brook was invited to settle at Saco, but declined. Mr* 
Elihu Whitccmb was the next Candidate for settlement 
at this place. After preaching on probation until April 
1799, the town proposed to settk him, and in town 
meeting recommended to the Church to take measures 
to have the pastoral relation between them and Mr. 
Fairfield regularly dissolved. Only three male mem- 
bers of the Church could then be found. They present- 
ed a Call to Mr. Whitcomb to settle with them, and it 
was agreed between them and Mr. Fairfield that the dis- 
solution of the pastoral connexion should be referred to 
.the Council about to be called. This was accordingly 
done in July of that year, at which time Mr. Whitcomb 



AKUNDEL. 59 

was ordained. He continued in the ministry at Saco 
until the summer of 1810, and was then dismissed. 

In October of that year Rev. Jonathan Cogswell, the 
present pastor of the Church was ordamed, at which 
time the dismission of Mr. Whitcomb was confirmed. 
At the time Mr. Cogswell was ordained theChuich con- 
tained tweny-eight members. Since that period divine 
influences have been afforded, many have been gather- 
ed into the fold of Chiist, and the communicants now 
exceed one hundred. 

A second Parish was Incorporated in Biddeford In the 
year 1 797, and a new meeting-house built previous to 
the year 1800. In 1805, a Council was assembled there 
who proceeded to organize a Church and install Rev. 
John Turner as its Pastor. About the year 1817, the 
civil contract between Mr. Turner and the people ceased, 
and he supplied other places, and laboured as a Mislon- 
ary. In december 1818 he was installed, at Kingston 
in New-Hampshire, at which time and place, by consent 
of the Church at Biddeford, his pastoral relation to 
them was dissolved. No person has yet been settled in 
his place. 

Having taken this view of the religious establish- 
ments ifl the immediate vicinity of Saco river, it will be 
proper for us next to consider that at Cape Porpus. As 
we have already stated a few scatered dwellings were 
erected here as early as at any place In the immediate 
vicinity. There is good reason to conclude that some 
religous order was observed here at a very early period, 
and perhaps a Church of some kind gathered, * But 

* Sec oage IS- 



-60 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

J.10 record of any such transaction can be found. A ' 
very few fragments of town record between the years 
1678 and 1689 have escaped the general wreck, but 
nothing which sheds the least light on Ecclesiastical af- 
fairs until the reestablishment of the town after the In- 
dian war, in 1719. The town was then called Arun- 
del. * In September of that year, an agreement was 
made with Rev. John Eveleth f to pi each at Arundel 
for one fourth of the year. The year following he was 
engaged for the whole year, and the town encouraged 
his tarrying with them, by assisting him to build an 
house. For about nine years, Mr. Eveleth was consider- 
ed the Minister of Arundel, although he does not appear 
to have had any regular induction there. The salary 
he received from the people was small, for at the annual 
town meeting in March 1726, it was voted to raise 20/. 
to pay Rev. Mr. Eveleth's salary, and other necessary 
charges in the town. ;): In August 1729, the town by 
their vote dismissed Mr. Eveleth from his relation to 
them as a Minister, and he ceased preaching. In the 
beginning of the next year Mr. Thomas Prentice was 
engaged as a preacher, received a regular call in June, 
and was ordained in November following. At this 
time a Church was duly organized. Mr. Prentice re- 
mained pastor of the Church eight years. At his earn- 
est request he was then dismissed, and afterwards settled 
in Charlestown In Massachusetts. 

* In the ancient town reeorJ it is called Aiondell for several ytars. 
t Mr» Eveleth had been ordained at Stow in Maes, in May tTCO tnd d's' 
aiisiied in 1717. hist. Cell. Val. 10, pa^e 83- 
• t AitHidsl records. 



^ ATtUNDEL. Bi 

In May 1739 the Church and town concurred in in- 
viting Mr. Joshua Tufts to settle with them, which he 
declined. During the same summer the town sent to 
Manchester for a Mr. Parsons who was then engaged in 
a School there. This application failed. The follow- 
ing winter Mr. John Hovey was engaged to preach, and 
in September 174^1, he was ordained. In June 1768, Mr. 
Hovey was dismissed agreeably to the advice of a Coun- 
cil, and the Church again left destitute. The following- 
spring an invitation was giv€n to Mr. Abner Johnson to 
settle at Arundel which he declined. Until this time 
public worship had always been attended at Cape Por- 
pus, where the ancient settlement was made. In the 
year 1768, about the time Mr. Hovey was dismissed, 
the old meeting-house at the Cape was burnt, and the 
inhabitants being now scattered throughout the town, 
tlie meeting-house now standing was erected in a more 
central situation. Rev. Silas Moody was the next 
Minister of this people. He was ordained Jan. 9th, 177 1» 
Mr. Moody continued to perform all the duties of his 
office for more than forty years. His health always 
feeble became at length so much impaired that the peo- 
ple took measures to obtain some assistance for him, 
and in the autumn of 1815, Mr. Nathan Lord, since set- 
tled at Amherst in New-Hampshire, was Invited to set- 
tle as a Colleague with Mr. Moody. Mr. Lord decli- 
ning the people sought another Candidate. In April 
1816, Mr. Moody died, and in July following Rev. 
George Pay son was ordained in his place. Mr. Pay son 
was of feeble healtli, and after repeated intermissions of 

F 



6B^ CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

labour, he found it expedient to ask a dismissioH, which 
was effected in July 1820. But the people were not 
long destitute of stated preaching. In October of the 
same year, Rev. Joseph Palmer Fesscnden was ordain- 
ed tliere, and is the present Minister. * 



* On petition of the inhabitants of ArunJfl to the Legislature of Maine at 
their session in the spring of iSai the nftme of this town was changed to 
that of •♦ Ketinebunkport/' 



NORTH-YARMOUTH. 63 

CHAPTER VII. 

1730. 

THE ancient limits of North Yarmouth compre- 
hended what is now Harpswell, Freeport, Pownal and 
Cumberland, beside the present town which is called by 
its original name. An instrument of President Dan- 
forth's, dated Sept. 22nd, 1680, is preserved in the pro- 
prietors records, by which he ordered that the planta- 
tion should take the name of North- Yarmouth. Provi- 
sion was early made here for the regular settlement and 
support of the Gospel Ministry. At the first survey of 
the town, it was ordered that forty rods square of plain 
land be laid out for the accommodation of the meeting 
house, ministers house, burying ground, &c. and a com- 
mittee was appointed to procure a Minister for settle- 
ment among them. The following are the words oC 
the record in relation to this subject — "that Mr. Walter 
Gendall, Mr. George Pearson, and Mr. John Royal, do 
take care in behalf of the town to procure and settle 
among them a pious, orthodox Minister, and with con- 
sent of the people to appoint and provide for his mainte- 
nance ; and in order thereunto, that they in the first 
settling of the town lay out a good farm, containing 
300 acres, to be forever for the use of the m.inistry."* 

The settlement advanced but slowly, and no minister 
was settled at that time. The Indians soon became 
troublesome, and in a few years the settlement at North- 
Yarmouth was broken up Uke many others in the cour- 

«S-4lIiv4n page 184. 



6i CONOR CGATIOX A LISTS, 

try, and the inhabitants retreated to the neighbourhood. 
of Boston. 

T'l 1722, the former inhabitants or their heirs return- 
ed from their dispersions and commenced the settlement 
anew. Tlie settlement and support of a Minister was 
still a prominent object. A portion of land in the town 
v/as reserved for the first Minister who should be settled, 
and continue in the Ministry among them five years j 
and another quantity was reserved for the use of the 
Mtnistry forever. In a few years a Meeting House was 
b'lilt, and measures taken for the settlement of a Min- 
ister. 

Rev. Ammi Ruhamah Cutter was tlie first candidate 
employed. In November 1730, a Council was convo- 
lved at North-Yarmouth consisting of Rev. Mr. Jeiferds 
horn Wells, Rev. Mr. Smith from Falmoutli, Rev. Mr. 
Thompson fiom Scarborough, and Rev. Mr. Williard 
from Eiddeford, wiJi their Delegates ; a Church of 
nine male members was organized, and Mr. Cutter was 
•rdained. He continued Pastor of the Church for tlie 
space of five years. Some dissatisfaction then arising, 
Mr. Cutter v^as dismissed in an orderly manner, with 
the advice of a Council.* 

The next Minister of North-Yarmouth was Rev. Nich- 
olas Loring. He was ordained in about a year after 
the dismission of Mr. Cutter, and continued in the pas- 
toral office, happily with the people and usefully amon«^ 



* It is not certainly known at thiji d.iy whether Mr. Cutter ever entered 
ihe ministry again. Gov. Sullivan states (page 265) that lie w«s afterward^ 
commaid<:r of a Fort en faro river, ajid kept a tradlag fccu-^^fffr the I.'V 



KORTH-YAHMOUTII. 65 

them, until his death, which took place in August 1763. 
Rev. Edward Brooks was their next Pastor, being or- 
dained July 4th, 1764. In less than two years after the 
settlement of Mr. Brooks a series of difficulties com- 
menced, which in about three years terminated in a dis- 
solution of the pastoral relation. This event finally 
took place in March 1769. After the dismission of Mr. 
Brooks, Mr. Tristram Gilman was employed as a can- 
didate, and in August of the same year received a call 
to settle. But the late difficulties had alienated the 
minds of many of the Church and Society, and caused 
a division that rendered it somewhat doubtful to Mr. 
Gilman how he ought to answer the call. At length 
It was agreed by all concerned to invite a Council, and 
submit all the difficulties existing among them to their 
decision, and after examination, should they advise to 
it, Mr. Gilman should be ordained. A Council was 
assembled accordingly, and after continuing in session 
two days proceeded to ordination. This took place on 
the 8th of December 1769. Mr. Gilman*i; ministry con- 
tinued nearly forty years. In the autumn of 1808, he 
began to decline, and after languishing through the 
tvinter he died April 1, 1809. 

At the funeral of Mr. Gilman, Mr. Francis Brown 
being named to some individuals as a suitable succes- 
sor, he was soon invited to preach on probation, and 
was ordained pastor of the Church in January 1810. 
Uev. Mr. Brown continued in the Ministry at North- 
Yarmouth but little more than five years. In the year 
1315, he was elected to the Presidency of Dartmouth 



&J COXGJIEGATIONALIST&, 

College, and by the advice of a Council removed frof^a 
the people of his charge. 

Another Pastor was soon found for the Church at 
North- Yarmouth. This was Rev. Joseph Wait Curtis,. 
who was ordained In June 1816. The ministry of Mr. 
Curtis was of short duration. He was subject to a ner* 
vous affection which depressed his spirits, and in his own. 
view rendered it expedient he should be dismissed. He 
accordingly requested of the people a dismission, which^ 
after taking the advice of a Council, was granted ia 
Jan. 2, 1817.* 

After a vacancy of about ten months Rev. Samuel 
Woodbury was ordained, Nov. 5th, 1817. Mr. Wood- 
bury's health soon began to fail, and in July 1819, he 
died at Groton in Massachusetts, where he had stopped 
for awhile when on a journey to regain his health. The 
present Pastor of the Church, Rev. Asa Cummings, was 
ordained in February, 1821. 

The state of religion in the first Church at North- 
Yarmouth has been generally flourishing. Forty seven 
persons were received to the Church duiing the five 
years of Mr. Cutter's ministry. At the time of Rev. 
Mr. Loring's ordination the Church solemnly renewed 
their Covenant, which gives evidence that some quick- 
ening influences of the Spirit were felt there at that 
time. In the year 174'2, there appears to have been a 
special attention to religion. Thirty one persons were 
admitted to the Church during that year. But the year 



♦ Mr. Curtis has since been Useful as a Missionary, and has finally been ia- 
sfan?a ift XUt 5ta»c of Ohh), 



NORTH-YARMOUTH. ©7 

1791 is the most remarkable in the religious annals o£ 
North-Yarmouth. Mr. Oilman had been preaching 
there for twenty two years, and casting abroad the good 
seed of the word, free from those mixtures which are 
sometimes artfully tried to make the doctrines of the 
Gospel palateable to the depraved tastes of men. But 
no particular effect had been perceived. Through the 
whole of this term however, the Holy Spirit seemed ho- 
vering over the people, for some one or more persons 
were always under serious impressions. But in the year 
1791, the Spirit descended in copious measures. "Du- 
ring that year, there was a truly wonderful revival of 
religion in North- Yarmouth, a revival which, with re- 
spect to all its circumstances had not then, and proba- 
bly has not since been equalled in the Stale of Maine. 
The whole town felt that God indeed, was present ; op- 
position dared not shew itself ; and all seemed to make 
the anxious inquiry, what shall we do to be saved. The 
house of God was filled even to overflowing on the Sab- 
bath, and lectures during the week and in different parts 
of the town, were much crowded. Multitudes were 
added to the Lord daily."* "In May of this year there 
were living in town, and In regular standing In the 
Church 94' members. From this time to December fol- 
lowing there were added 94? members. From Decem- 
ber 1791 to September 1793 there were added 51 mem- 
bers more."f 

The year before Mr. Gilman's death was also a sea- 



♦Manuscript history of the fiist Church at North-Yarmouth on tke files ol 
Cumberland Association. 
f Mr. Gil mans sermon on the death of Judge MitchcU page 19. Note^ 



68 COXGRKGATIONALISTS. 

son of some awakening, and thirteen were added to the 
Church. The whole number admitted to the Church 
b7 Mr. Oilman was 300. His ministry, taking every 
circumstance into view, may be considered as the mosr 
successful of any Minister ever settled in the State. 

The beginning of Rev. Mr. Brown's ministry was 
also distinguished by some special attention to religion, 
and forty eight persons were received into the Church 
in about two years after this settlement. The whole 
number received into this Church from its formation 
to the year 1812, is 605. 

HARPSWELL. 

The town of Harps well, as we have already observed, 
w^as a part of North-Yarmouth. Sullivan thus speaks 
of it — "near to Stevens' purchase, and on the sea, is a 
neck of fine land, called Merryconeag, now in the town 
of Haipswell, which was purchased in the year 1674- by 
one William Lyman, but after the purchase from Gor- 
ges' grandson by the colony of Massachusetts, and in 
the year 1682 the lands were granted by the govern* 
ment to the College."* Merryconeag is the Indian 
name of the neck of land which connects the town with 
Brunswick, and by some is still applied to the place. As 
€arly as the year 1750, it was set off from North- Yar- 
mouth as a District, or Parish, and six years after, it 
was incorporated as a distinct town. The first Preach- 
er at this place was Richard Pateshall. He was gra- 
duated at Harvard College in 1735, but is not marked 
as a minister in the Catalogue. Mr. Pateshall remain- 

*Stillivan page i4iS. 



HARPSWELL. 69 

ed at Harpswell two or three years, and built a house 
there, but was never ordained. After him a Mr. Pack- 
ard was employed, but received no invitation to settle. 

In 1753, Rev. Elisha Eaton, who had once been set- 
tled in a Parish in Braintree, was employed to preach as 
a candidate for settlement. A Church was soon organ- 
ized, and Mr. Eaton was installed its Pastor. The 
Council on this occasion consisted of Rev. Mr. Smith 
of Portland, Mr. Loring of North-Yarmouth, and Mr. 
Allen of Cape Elizabeth. Mr. Eaton preached himself 
on the occasion. He lived happily with the people a- 
bout eleven years. He died in April 1764'. A cancer 
on his lip, was the cause of his death, yet he continued 
to preach until within about three months of his de- 
cease. 

Soon after the death of Mr. Eaton the Church and 
Society appointed a day of fasting and prayer, and invit- 
ed the neighbouring Ministers to attend with them. 
Mr. Brooks of North-Yarmouth, Mr. Miller of Bruns- 
wick, and some others attended. After the public ser- 
vices, the Clergymen present named to the people three 
persons as, in their judgment, suitable candidates for 
them, viz. Mr. Samuel Eaton, the son of their former 
Minister, Mr. Foxcroft, who afterward settled at New- 
Gloucester, and Mr. Fessenden, who subsequently set- 
tled at Fryeburg ; advising them first, to hear Mr. Ea- 
ton, and should they not be pleased with him to procure 
one of the others. Mr. Eaton, who was then preach- 
ing, and who had been called to settle in New-Glouces- 
ter, was accordingly invited, and complying with the re- 
quest was ordained there in October 1754> only six months 



70 CONGREGATIOXALISTS. 

after his Father's death. Two years after this, the town 
was favoured with a remarkable shower of divine grace, 
and sixty-seven persons were added to the Church in 
the space of eight months. Rev. Mr. Eaton stUl re- 
mains Pastor of the Church and alUiough at the advanc- 
ed age of eighty-four years is able to discharge most of 
his parochial duties with as much fidelity and perhaps 
more, than many of his juniors. 

FREIPORT. 

The northeasterly part*«f North- Yarmouth, and a 
*iract of land called " Prouts Gore," were incorporated 
*B February 1789, by the name of Freeport. In De- 
cember of that year ten members were dismissed from 
the first Church in North-Yarmouth who uniting with 
others, were on the 21st day of that month, organized 
as a new Church. Seven days after this, Rev. Alfred 
Johnson was ordained its Pastor. Mr. Johnson's min- 
istry at Freeport continued about sixteen years. In 
September 1805, he was dismissed at his own request, 
and installed at Belfast the same month. The next 
Minister at Freeport was Rev. Samuel Veazie. He 
was ordained December 10th 1806. In less than two 
years Mr. Veazie's health began to decline, and he W5S 
soon found to be in a settled consumption. 

" The circumstances of his death were peculiarly dis- 
tressing. On the night of Feb. 5, 1 809, while confined 
to his chamber, in the house of Mrs. Veazie's mother* 
and supposed to be near his dissolution, the lower part 
©f the house was discovered to be in flames. He was 
with difficulty removed to the house of Mr. Bartol, hi? 



CUMBERLAND. yi 

brother in law, In one of the most severe snow storms 
known for many years. The exposure was thought to 
have accelerated his exit, which took place the next 
day." ♦ 

In June following, the Church and people presented a 
call to Mr, Jaazaniah Crosby to settle with them, which 
he declined, and is since settled in Charlestown in New- 
Hampshire. 

In February 1810, Rev. Reuben Nason was ordained 
at Freeport, and remained Pastor of the Church for a 
little more than five years. Difficulties then arose, and 
Mr. Nason requested a dismission, which was granted 
on the advice of a Council in June 1815. For more 
than a year the Church was destitute of a stated Pas- 
tor. Several preachers were employed, and in Nov. 
1816, Rev. Enos Merrill was ordained, and is their 
present Minister. 

CUMBERLAND. 

The fourth Church organized within the ancient lim- 
its of North- Yarmouth was In that part of the town 
which has recently been incorporated by the name of 
Cumberland. 

In the month of September 1793, twenty-six members 
of the first Church who lived In the westerly and norths 
westerly parts of the town requested a dismission In or- 
der to be organized as a new Church. Their request 
was granted, and they became a distinct body. ThQ 
next spring and summer, more members of both sex^ 

♦ Hijtoric»l C^ll^ctionj Vol- 4, page l8l New ?<rjes. 



73 CUMBERLAND. 

were dismissed from the ancient Church to this, making 
in all more than sixty. A Parish was polled from the 
other, and on October 22d, 1794, Rev. Rufus Anderson 
was ordained Pastor of the Church. He continued in 
this relation about the space of ten years, when some 
difficulties arising, he solicited and received a dismission, 
and was afterwards installed at Wenham, in Essex Coun. 
ty, where he died. After the dismission of Mr. Ander- 
son, the people in this Parish employed several candi- 
dates. Rev. William Riddel, who had been dismissed 
from Bristol, and a Mr. Holman were severally invited 
t© settle but declined. At length, in October 1 806, 
Rev. Amasa Smith, who had been recently dismissed 
from Turner, was installed to the Pastoral office in this 
Church. But in process of time troubles arose, the 
Parish became weakened, and in April 1820 Mr. Smith 
was dismissed at his own request. During the summer* 
following the Church and Society invited Mr. Joseph P.i 
Fessenden to settle with them, which he declined. The* 
present Pastor of the Church, Rev. Samuel Stone, wasi 
ordained in May 1821. ; 

In the year 1806, a second territorial Parish wasI 
formed in the northerly part of North-Yarmouth, toJ 
ward New-Gloucester. In September of that year, 
eight males were dismissed from the first Church, a 
six from that in the west part of the town, and a ne 
Church was organized. On the same day Rev. Johnl 
Dutton was installed its Pastor. Soon after this fifteei^ 
females being dismissed from the two sister Churches inj' 
the town, joined this new Church which enlarged by th« 
accession of a number from the world, presented e 



CONGIIEGATIONALISTS. 78 

flourishing aspect. The ministry of Mr. Button con- 
tinued little more than seven years. In the spring of 
1814, he was dismissed by mutual consent. He is since 
settled in Pomfret In Vermont. After the dismission of 
Mr. Dutton, the people enjoyed only occasional preach- 
ing, till February 1818, when Rev. Otis Crosby Whi- 
ton, the present Minister, was ordained. 

In J 808, the northwesterly part of Freeport was in- 
corporated as a new town by the name of Pownal, and 
in about three years after a Church of ten members 
was gathered, and Rev. Perez Chapin ordained. This 
was in March 1811. Two of the original members of 
the Churcli were dismissed from the ancient 1st Church 
in North- Yarmouth. Mr. Chapin continues to be the 
Minister of that people. His labours have been pecu- 
liarly blessed, especially in the year 1817, when about 
sixty persons were gathered into the Church. 

In 1818, the ancient first Parish in North- Yarmouth 

built a new meeting-house, and removed the stated pulv 

lic worship from what was termed the " Foreside" to the 

« Falls." This produced a disunion which ended in the 

incorporation of a new Parish In the vicinity of the old 

I meeting-house, called the " Chapel Congregational So- 

t ciety." In May 1820, a Church of thirty six members 

i was organized there, and in October following. Rev. 

I Noah Cresey, formerly of Norway, was installed its Past or. 

1 Thus In the £pace of ninety years since the organiza- 

^ tionof the first Church In North-Yai mouth five towns 

i: have grown up In the same teriltory, and six Congrega- 

I tlonal Churches are now found where some thirty years 

jf since, only o^e -eTiisted. 



74< CUMBERLANB* 

CHAPTER Yin. 

1734. 

■Cr 

Our attention will next be directed to the settlements ' 
made at the mouth of Kennebeck river, particularly the 
towns of Georgetown, Woolwich, Bath, and Phipps- 
burgh. In 1 607, Sir George Popham's party spent sever- 
al months in what is now Georgetown and Phipsburgh. 
A few scattered settlements weie made as early as 1630' 
on the banks of tlie Kennebeck, and near its mouth. 
Still they were few for many years. In 1670, Capt. Syl- 
vanus Davis, who was that year a membei of his Ma- 
jesty's Council, stated to the Governour that there were 
thirty families on the east side of the Kennebeck, 
and about twenty en the western side, between " the 
Chops," which is now the upper part of Bath, and the 
naouth of the river. It was not until after the com- 
mencement of the next century that any regular town 
was organized. The first corporation in the County of 
Lincoln w^as Georgetown. Here was planted the first 
Church in the County. The first Miniver who came in- 
to this region, and of whom any account can now be 
lound, was a Mr. Baxter, a missionary who accompanied 
Governour Shute toArousic* Island in 1717, when 
the Governour held a conference with the Indians about 
the lands on the Kennebeck. f Whether Mr. Baxter re- 
mained in tliis quarter or returned with Governour 
Shute does not appear. 

* The name of this IsJand is sometimes spelt Arrowsike and sometimes 
Arousic, and the plantation was formerly often calleC " Rju~ick.''«.-8*« 
FHesbyterial Records. 

t Hutcliiiiodn's ifkt. Maiaaduuetts Vol. 2, page uB. 



GKORGETOWK. 75 

A considerable part of the early settlers of George^ 
town were strongly attached to the Presbyterian form of 
Church government, and a part were as much attached 
to Congregationalism, and hence dissentions arose eaily. 
In 1734, Rev. William McClanethan, or McClanakin, 
Presbyterian Clergyman, who had been ordained as an 
EvangeHst, was employed as a preacher here. No less 
than thirty males, then Presbyterian Church members, 
were hving in the town. It seems probable, from all 
circumstances, that they were embodied as a Piesbyte- 
rian Church. Although no record of such a transac-. 
tion can now be founds Mr. McClanethan preached at 
Georgetown occasionally for about ten years, but does 
not appear to have had the pastoral care of the Church, 
for in 1738, a committee was raised to procure a Minister 
for the town. Mr. James Morton a Presbyterian Cler- 
gyman was procured, and remained with the people a- 
bout two years. Meanwhile the difficulties remained 
unsettled between the Presbyterians and Congregational- 
ists. Neither party were able to support a Minister 
" alone, and were still so nearly balanced as that neither 
would yield. In 1739, a committee was raised in the 
town to consult together and devise a way for the am- 
icable adjustment of the difficulties previous to the settle- 
ment of a Minister. But their object was not effected, 
and the next year found them still in difficulty. 

Fourteen persons, from both parties, now entered into 
a voluntary association for the purpose of reconciling 
their differences, that a way might be opened to give 
Mr. Morton a call. But all these attempts proved un- 
successful, and in July of the same year ( 1740} the towu 



7^ CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

chose two committees, one for the Presbyterians, and tl^ 
other for the Congregationalists, who were each instruct- 
ed to procure a Mialster for the party to which they 
belonged. This appears to have been an amicable 
agreement when they found they could not unite, for 
at the same meeting the town in their corporate capaci- 
ty voted to pay each Minister at the rate of J 10/. a 
year, and should there be but one at any time in the 
town he should receive 120/. This was probably In 
view of the additional labour which in that case would 
devolve upon him. 

The year following, the Piesbyterians Invited Mr, 
Morton to settle with th^m which he declined. In IT-iS, 
both Societies being destitute of stated preaching, they 
engaged Mr. McClanethan again for a year, with a sala- 
ry cf 200/. In 1743, they were again destitute, and 
Hev. Robert Rutherford was engaged for a short time.' 
In September of the following year, the Congregational- 
ists in the town appointed Mr. aamoel Denny to pro-, 
Cisre tliem a candidate to preach with a view to settl^-i 
snenl, and directed him to take the advice of the Min- 
isters in Boston in regard to the person. But it doesj 
;nol appear that any person was obtained. Septemberi 
17^7 found ihe people still destitute of a Minister, and 
at that time Mr. Daniel Mitchell was employed until 
April following. * In the summer of 1748, a messen 
ger was dispatched to attend the meeting of the Presby 



* Mr, Mitchell was from Scotland, graduated at the University in Edii| 
kargh, licensed by the Boston Presbytery aitting at Boston in I74<5. sent tol 
ycorgctowa and SKccpscot in 1747, and settled afterward^ in Pembroke ?ri 
Sew llampshiic;. PrCTbytjJial F.ecoTds. 



GEORGETOWN. 77 

tery at Londohderry to obtain a preacher for the Pres- 
byterians. The Presbytery sent to Georgetown Mr. 
Alexander Boyd.* It was the practice of the Presbytery 
to consider every candidate they licenced as under their 
care, and amenable to them, at least for several years. 
Hence when the Church and peeple at Georgetown be- 
came pleased with Mr. Boyd and proposed to settle him 
they sent their call to the Presbytery, and also presented 
it to the candidate. This took place in August IT^Q, 
But the Presbytery had heard from Scotland some re- 
ports to the disadvantage of Mr. Boyd, and therefore 



♦ The Records, of tUc Boston Presbytery at their session at Fcliiam June 
14, 1748 contain the following information respecting Mr. Boyd. " Mr. Mc- 
Gregore informed the Presbytery tliat one Mr. Alexander Boyd, a young man of 

' a liberal education, having arrived at Boston being recommended to theit 
care, and having produced to them a certificate of his attending the study 
of Divinity at the University of Glasgow?, they had put some pieces of trial 
Uto his hands, and required him to have them in readiness against the 
meeting of the Presbytery. The Presbytery approved of their conduct and 
.agreed to take the said Mr. Boyd upon trial. Mr. Boyd being called upon 
was required to deliver his Exegesis de nccesitate satisfactionis Chrlsti, and 
having defended the Thesis the Presbytery were satisfied therewith as « 
part of his trial. Mr, Boyd delivered the Lecture appointed him upon the 
S3rd Psalm, and it wis approved as a ptrt of his trial. Mr. Boyd being tried 
by extempore questions was approved. Mr. Boyd having delivered a popu- 

. lar discourse fiom Rom. x. 15, it was approved as a part of his trial, and 
having read and explained some part of the Nsw Testament he was required, 
and in the follewing manner did subscribe the confession of faith— I dohere« 
by profess that the Westminster Confession of faith contains a most excel- 

• lent summary of the doctrines, duties, and government of the Christian 
religion, and as such I make an explicit profession of my belief of its articles 
by subscribing my name. ALEXANDER BOYD- 

Mr. Boyd was then appointed to supply Gorgetown for the next three 
months with a discretionary power to go to WhichcasKt and Sbeepcoat, ^ 
ive judges it s^fe." 



CONGREGATION ALISTS. 

3^^^i:m'i the call to the Church at Georgetovrn under 
^Over lo Major Dennie, and at the same time cited their 
.ciiididace to appear before them. In October foUowifig 
Jkdi ijoyd appeared before the Presbytery,, and confessed 
thai, btifora he left Scotland, he had, in an irregular 
.mimner, married a certain Mary Buckan ; which fact he 
h.'id studiously concealed from the Presbytery at the 
time of receiving license from them tO preach ; but he 
r.ow declared his intention to send for her, and treat her 
as his wife. The Presbytery sharply rebuked him for 
his duplicity, but as he appeared penitent, they continued 
his license. * After awhile he returned again to George- 
town, and in June 1750, the people renewed their in- 
vitation for his settlement, and about the same time he 
was invited also to settle at New-Castle. The Presby- 
tery recommended both calls to his consideration,, 
but at that time he thought fit-to decline them both. '■ 
Mr. Boyd still continued preaching under the direction 
of the Presbytery, and spent a considerable part of his 
time in the neighbourhood of Kennebeck River. In | 
the year 1751, the people at Georgetown again solicited 
him to settle with them, and in November of that year i 
he acceded to their request. The movements for his I 
permanent establishment were very slow. The Presby- 
tery had the roanagement of all affairs respecting it, and 
for some reasons now unknown they declined expediting 
his settlement. At length, in October 1752, the Pres- 
bytery made a conditional engagement to ordain Mr. 
Boyd for the Church and people Jn Georgetov^rn early 



* Siesbyttrial Reto^ifisi 



GEORGETOWN. 79 

in the following spring, but they voted at the same 
time that "the people at Georgetown should be called on 
for fartlier light." The nature of the difficulties which 
were evidently labouring in the minds of the Presbytery 
is not fully known at this day, nor whether they related 
to Mr. Boyd or the Church at Georgetowa. But a stop 
was put to all proceedings, and Mr. Boyd preached no 
more at that place. 

For more than ten years after this, the people at 
Georgetown were destitute of stated preaching. It is 
highly probable that the strife which had sometimes 
been warm between the contending parties had contri- 
buted not a little to weaken the hands of both, and dis- 
courage their hearts. But after living several years 
without any preaching at all, they became more dispo- 
sed to unite. The Presbyterian party had either dimin- 
ished, or were willing to yield their peculiarities, and 
the greater part of the people became nominally Con- 
gregationalists. Whether the Church formally renoun- 
ced Presbytcrianism, or whether it was reorganized on 
Congregational principles is altogether unknown. It 
existed in April 1764, as a formal Church meeting was 
holden at that time, and adjourned to May 4th in the 
same year, when five Deacons were chosen. It would 
seem from this circumstance either that the Church was 
very large, or that more labour was required of Dea- 
cons In that day than is common now. 

In the course of this summer, Mr. Ezekiel Emerson, 
o£ Uxbrldge in Massachusetts, came and preached at 
Georgetown as a candidate for settlement. He shortly 
received ^ call, and returned an aflirmaiive ^ftsw«r. 



80 C0NGREGATI0NALIST3. 

On July 1st, 1765, the Covenant engagements were sub- 
scribed anew by Mr. Emerson, as Pastor elect, and eight 
male members.* Two days after this transaction, a 
Council convened consisting of the Churches in Ux- 
bridge, Upton, Brunswick, Haipswell, and Woolwich, 1 
and after full inquiry and examination, Mr. Emersou i 
was ordained. On this occasion Mr. Miller, of Bruns- 
wick, offered the introductory prayer, Mr Webb, of Ux< | 
bridge, preached, Mr. Fish, of Upton gave the charge, ' 
and Mr. Winship of Woolwich presented the right hand. 
Soon after the ordination the order of discipline in the i 
Church was established by sundry votes, and on the j 
8th of September following, the members of the old 
Church were formally admitted to this, which had in 
some respects assumed a new form. Nineteen males 
and eighteen females were admitted on that day. It 
seems probable, that the old Church had become lax in 
discipline, and having been long without a stated Pas- 
tor, could hardly ascertain who were entitled to regular 
standing as members, and who were not. 

Soon after the settlement of Rev. Mr. Emerson there 
was a great revival of religion in Georgetown ; many 
were admitted to the Church, and for several years there 
were more than 100 communicants. Mr. Emerson re- 
• mained happily and peacefully with the people for about 
fourteen years. At that period the revolutionary war 
rendered his situation unpleasant. The settlements on 
the coast, and especially at the mouth of large rivers, 
were considered unsafe, the expences of the war lay 

* Their names were Johr. Parker, James McCobb, George Rogers, William 
Jtinson, Mitha«l Malcom, Daniel Mtise, Charles Snipe, and Tboaias Poccy, 



Aifc 



GEORGETOWN. Si 

heavy on the people and the depreciation of the paper 
currency of the country made Mr. Emerson's nominal 
salary to be of little value. All these circumstances in- 
duced him to remove for a season. He accordingly 
suspended his ministrations at Georgetown, and taking 
his family removed up the river to Norridgevvock, where 
he remained until May 1st, 1783. The country was 
then at peace, and taking the advice of a Council con- 
sisting of the Churches in Harpswell, Brunswick, and 
North- Yarmouth, he returned, resumed his ministerial 
labours in Georgetown, and continued to discharge 
them steadily and faithfully until the year 1810. At 
this time his mental powers became impaired to a con- 
siderable degree, and he found It necessary to retire 
from the Ministry. He died Nov, 9th, 1815, at the 
age of 79 years. No person has yet been ordained in 
^is stead. At present, Rev. Samuel Sewall, formerly 
of Edgcomb, is preaching in this place. 

The second Church in this region which claims our 
notice was gathered at Woolwich. This town lies on 
the main land east of Kennebeck River. It was ancient- 
ly considered, as a part of Georgetown. A few inhabi- 
tants had planted themselves in the town as early as 
1660, under Clark and I^ke, who erected mills there.* 
The Indians called the place Nauseag. Sir William 
Phips who was appointed Governour of Massachusetts 
in 1692, was born In Woolwich. His parents were a« 
mong tlae first settlers, \nd lived on a Peninsula on Mon- 



*Sir Biby Lake's petitien to tbe King In I730> clccd by Sullivan page i^p. 



«/« 



8S CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

feag Bay.* But the town had not a rapid growth, and. 
was not incorporated until 1759. In May 1764 Mr. 
Josiah Winship came to Woolwich as a candidate for 
fettlement. At that time there were only twenty famf. 
lies in the town, and no more than two framed houfes. 
In June of the following year, a fmall Church was or- 
ganized, and Rev. Mr. Winfliip was ordained. For 
about fifty years Mr. Winlhip continued to perform all 
the ufual parochial duties in Woolwich, but having be- 
come enfeebled by age, it was thought advisable, by him 
and the people, that another Minister should be procur- 
ed. Accordingly, in the autumn of 1816, Mr. Jona^ 
than Adams was engaged, and in Febrr ary succeeding, 
he was ordained as Colleague Paftor. Both Minifters 
still remain. 

The northerly part of Georgetown, now Bath, was es- 
tablished as a second parish prior to the year 1762, and 
incorporated as a town in 1781. In 1762 there was 
living in that parish but one public professor of religion, 
viz. John Shaw, yet there were four others, viz. Benja- 
min Thompson, John Bridges, Abner Lunt, and Joshua 
Philbrook, who were considered pious men. In that 
year, Mr. Solomon Page was employed to preach ia 
this parish, and died here during the summer. The 
next year Mr. Zabdiel Adams, afterward the Minister 
©f Lunenburg in Massachusetts, was employed in this 
parish, and received from the people an invitation to 
settle, but declined. In 1764*, Mr. John Whitli was 
preaching at this place. An unsuccessful attempt was 



*2u'iliran page i$. 



BATH. 83 

aiade to settle him. During the two foUowipg years 
tke people had with them four candidates, viz. Ebene- 
zer Champney, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Bigelow, and Mr. Aaron 
Kenny. Neither of these was invited to settle. A 
little previous to this Mr. Emerson had been ordained 
in the first Parish in Georgetown, and, as has been al- 
ready related, a considerable revival of religion had ta- 
ken place there. The influence of the shower extended 
also to tlie second Parish. The people were excited to 
a considerable degree, and became very anxious to ob^- 
tain a Minister. In the beginning of the year 1767, 
Mr. Francis Winter was engaged to preach on proba- 
tion, and was ordained there toward autumn of the 
same year. It is probable that a small Church was or- 
ganized at the time of Mr. Winter^s settlement, but no 
record of that transaction is now to be found. Rev. 
Mr. Winter remained the Minister of Bath about nine- 
teen years. Some dissatisfaction having arisen in Jan. 
1787, he made a proposal to the town for dissolution of 
the relation between them, which they accepted, and he 
was dismissed witliout a Counctl. 

For six years following this event the people were in 
a broken state. Rev. Abraham Cummings, Mr. Otis 
Crosby, and Mr. John Webber were their principal 
preachers. In 1791, a considerable attention to reli- 
gion was manifest in the town, and about fifteen per- 
sons were supposed to have become pious at that time. 
The pious men formed themselves into a Society for 
religious purposes, supposing that no Church existed in 
the town. It had been twenty four years since the or- 
tf nation of Mr. Winter when it is probable a Church 



B^ CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

was gathered, but being very small at the beginning, j 
and never much enlarged at aay subsequent period, 
was, perhaps, at this time nearly extinct. 

In the spring of 1794-, while the people felt very anx- 
ious to obtain a Minister, an impostor presented him- 
self, who had well nigh done them great injury. His 
real name was Frost. He belonged to Connecticut, aiK^. 
had been a pettifogging lawyer in that State, and in the 
State of New- York. After this, he went into Berkshire 
County in Massachusetts, with the professed design of 
studying Divinity ; but being discovered in some very 
base conduct he absconded, and going to Londonderry 
in New-Hampshire, resided for a short time with Rev. 
Mr. Morrison. From that place he came to Bath. H«i 
here called his name Benjamin Fredlngburg, said he was^ 
a German by birth, and pretended to be on his way t<y 
Waldoborough to supply the German Society there; 
As they were destitute of a Minister at Bath, he propo- 
sed to tarry with them for a few Sabbaths. While 
he remained here, the Germans at Waldoborougli 
heard of him, and some of them came to visit 
him. But they quickly discovered that he was no Ger- 
man, and his real name and character soon following 
hrm, he immediately left the place. — In the course of 
the next year Mr. Hugh Wallis was employed to preach 
at Bath, and arrangements were made for his <ettle- 
ment. The town had now increased considerably, and 
societies of different denominations had been formed. It 
was therefore thought expedient to form -a Parish dis- 
tinct from the town, and to organize a new Church, 
Rev. Mr. Wallis was ordained Pastor of this Church to- 



BATH, 83 

M^ard the close oT 1795. The new Church was gathered 
prhicipally from the rehglous Society whicii had been for- 
med after the revival about four years previous. In a 
few years some difficulties arose in the Society, and Mr. 
Wallis requested a dismission, which after taking the 
opinion of a Council was granted. This event took 
place July 15th, 1800. For five succeeding years the 
pulpit was supplied a part of the time. The preachers 
•were Mr. James Davis, Rev. Hezckiah May, Mr. Na- 
than Waldo, Mr. Bradford Mercer, and Mr. Samuel 
Jlobbins ; but neitJicr of them were invited to settle- 
In the autumn of 1805, Rev. Asa Lyman was employ- 
ed, and in January following was installed Pastor of the 
Church. Mr. Lyman's ministry at Bath continued about 
two years. In March 1S08, he was dismissed by mu- 
tual consent, and the people were left destitute. The 
present Pastor of the Church, Rev. John W. EUing- 
wood, was ordained there November 4th, 1,812. 

A little previous to Mr. Lyman's settlement at Bath 
those iah^bitants of the town, who had not formally uni- 
ted with any of the societies already established, propo- 
sed to organise themselves, and settle a Minister distinct 
from the other Congregational Parish. On tlie 21st ot 
December 1805, a Church of ten persons was organi- 
zed, and Rev. William Jenks was ordained. All the 
other religious societies in the town had oeen formed 
as poll-parishes. This embraced the residue of the 
town, and according to established usage is the fir^t 
Parish, while the Church connected with it being later 
ii* date than the other, is, of course, the second Church. 

H 



86 CONGREQATIONALISTSr 

Mr. Jenks remained in Bath a little more than twelve j i 
years. In the antumn of 1812, he was elected Profes- j 
sor of the oriental languages in Bowdoin College ; and 
about the same time was invited to take the Pastoral j 
care of the first Church in Portsmouth, then vacant by 
the death of the much lamented Dr. Buckminster. A 
Council was convened in November of that year, who 
advised Mr. Jenks to give a negative answer t® the call 
of the Church in Portsmouth, but to accept the Profes- 
sorship at the College, as he could discharge the duties 
of this, without the necessity of being dismissed from 
Bath. This was accordingly done. But the Society 
at Bath "was small, and had to struggle with many diffi- 
culties ; and in February 1818, the civil contract be- 
tween Rev. Mr. Jenks and the Parish was dissolved, and 
he removed to Boston, but by desire of the Church he 
•stsill retains his pastoral relation to them. 



It 



"WINDHAM. 87 

CHAPTER IX. 
17^3. 

At Windham in Cumberland County the next lelig- 
ious establishment was made ; and as the settlements in 
Gorham were made about the same time, we shall find 
it convenient to sketch the history of both Churches in 
one Chapter. 

The land in Windham was granted previous to the 
year 174'0. Most of the original proprietors belonged 
to Marblehead in Massachusetts, and the plantation took 
the name of New-Marblehead and was incorporated by 
its present name in 1762. On the first settlement of 
their town, the Proprietors took measures to provide for 
the regular support of a Minister. They procured as 
a candidate Mr. John Wight, and in the month of De- 
cember IT^S, a Church of six persons wa<i formed, and 
Rev. Mr. Wight ordained. He lived and laboured in 
the Gospel there until his death, which took place in the 
summer of 1754'. At this time the Indians were ex- 
ceedingly troublesome in and about Windham ; the in- 
[habitants lived in great jeopardy, and b«Ing few in num- 
|ber, and feeling themselves unable to support a Minis- 
Iter, they petitioned the General Court for aid, by oblig- 
ing the proprietors of land there to settle and support a 
[Minister among them. * After several years some aid 
jwas obtained in this way, and another Minister ordain- 
pd. This was Rev. Peter Thatcher Smith, the son of 
jiRev. Mr. Smith of Portland. He was ordained Seot. 



* Province laws page f <^. 



SS CO^-GUKGATIOXAI.ISTS, 

22nd 1762, at which time there were only thirty-nnie 
families in the town. Mr. Smith remained in the min- 
istry nearly thirty years. He was at length, dismissed 
by mutual consent in 1790, and is still living in the 
town, a respectable magistrate, and member of the 
Church. 

Tl^e third Minister of this people was Rev. Natlran- 
iel Stone, who was ordained October 1st 1798. After 
remaining in the pastoral office a little more than six 
years, Mr. Stone was dismissed without any ecclesiastical 
4brmalities, according to a previous arrangement be- 
tween him and the people. This event took place in 
February 1805. During the ministry of Mr. Stone the 
lands resei ved in the town for the use of the ministry 
were sold, the money funded, and a foundation thus laid 
for the future support of the Gospel in the town. Not* 
withstanding this the people were destitute of a stated, 
^Minister more than four years. At length, in the sum- 
mer of ISOD, Rev. Asa Lyman, who was employed in. j 
a School in the town, was engaged to preach. InSeptcm* 
ber of that year he was invited to take the pastoral 
charge of the Church, and a Council was assembled to 
consummate the contemplated union. But finding that 
it was not considered as a permanent settlement the 
Council declined proceeding, and on November 30th 
the Church installed him. This relation continued a- 
bout six months, and they were again left destitute. 
K.ev. Gardiner Kellogg is the present Pastor of the 
Church, who was installed April 25th 1811. 

Windham has never b-^en favoured with such an at* 



WIN DH All, GOUHAM. ' 89 

tention to religion as might be termed a general revival, 
and consequently the Church has always been small* 
When it was organized, in 174'3, it consisted of six per- 
sons beside the Pastor. When Mr. Smith was settled in 
1762, there were fourteen members, and when Mr^ 
Stone was ordained in 1798, only two male members 
of the Church could then be found. The number is 
still inconsiderable. 

The town of Gorham was originally settled about the 
same time with Windham, but no Church was gathered 
there until about seven years after the ordination of Mr. 
Wight. Rev. Solomon Lombard was the first settled 
Minister of Gorham, and was ordained at the time of 
the organization of the Church in the year 1750. *• Af- 
ter some years the Church and people became dissatis- 
fied with him, upon what account is not now known - 
In January 1757, a Council w\as called with a view to 
dismiss him. Three fourths of the Church appeared 
against him ; but proved nothing to satisfy the Council 
that he ought to be dismissed. They advised, that he 
should continue to preach to these, who adhered to him, 
as he had declared himself ready to do, depending on 
their pleasure for support. The aggrieved party with- 
drew, by consent of the Church, and chose Mr. Towns- 
hend their Pastor, who was set apart by lay ordination. 
He is said to have been a humble man and a faithful 
Preacher ; but was acknowledged neither by Mr. Lom- 
bard nor the neighbouring Ministers."* Mr. Townshend 

* Manuscript History of the Church in Gorhacn, on tft;c ftlcs of G-.'.TTiJS?r- 
*itn^ Association. 

H 2 



90 CONGREGATION ALISTS. 

lived but a few years. After his death a conciliating' 
spirit appeared, and a reunion of the Church was pro- 
posed, provided Mr. Lombard should be dismissed.— 
This was agreed to by all concerned, and a Council was- 
hivited consisting of the first Church in Biddeford, the 
second in Scarborough, and the Church in Buxton, for 
the purpose of dismissing Mr. Lombard, and uniting 
the tv/o Churches in one. * This took place on Au- 
gust 1 5th 1764-. 

Soon after the dismission of Mr. Lombard, the peo- 
ple sought a candidate for settlement, and employed 
Mr. Peletlah Tingley with that view. In February 
1 766, the towH gave him a call to settle, which he de* 
clined. Toward the winter fo^Ilowing Mr. Josiah 
Thatcher was engaged to supply the pulpit, and in Oc- 
tober of the following year he was ordained to the pas- 
toral care of the Church. After some years difficulties, 
arose, and in August 1779, by advice of Council he 
"was dismissed. The people had now occasional preach- 
ing, but employed no person with a view to settlement 
for about two years. In August 1781, Mr. Caleb Jewett 
was employed to preach for sij£ months. In January fol- 
io wing the people gave him a call, aiid in November. 
1783, he was ordained. Mr, Jewett continued in the 
ministry at Gorham about 17 year*. He was not for- 
mally dismissed, but ceased preaching ^bout the begin^ 
.ning of the year 1 800, and died soon after. 

The next Minister of this people was Rev. Jeremiah 
Noyes. He was ordained November 16th 1803, but' 



* ftc«9:4i of ^nd Church in Sf^rboreugb, 



GORHAM. 91 

was soon taken off his labours by ill health, and died is. 
about three years after his settlement. For two years 
after the death of Mr. Noyes the Church was in an un- 
settled state, but toward the close of that period Rev. 
Asa Rand, the present Pastor of the Church, was em- 
ployed as a candidate, aad ordained January 18th 
1809. 



92 GONGREGATIONALISTS. 

CHAPTER X. 

1747. 

BRUNSWICK. 

The first settler in this town was a Mr. Purchase, who 
lived near the head of Stevens* river, and traded with 
the Savages, of whom he obtained grants of lands in 
the year 1675. * The ancient settlement was called 
Pegypscott, from the Pegypscott Indians, who formerly 
inhabited the region of Androscoggin river, and in- 
cluded what is now Topsham as well as Brunswick. 
The inhabitants were few in the early settlement, and in 
the year 1 690 the town was entirely depopulated. f Thir* 
ty years after, some of the former inhabitants returned 
with others, and in May 1735, they petitioned to be in- 
corporated as a town. The petition was signed by 
twenty-nine persons. Among the reasons assigned why 
their request should be granted, they stated that they had 
procured " a pious and orthodox Minister'* to settle 
with them, and considered it necessary to be vested with 
power to lay a tax in order to raise money for his sup- 
port. This petition was immediately granted, but by 
some mistake the act of the Legislature did not receive 
the signature of the Governor until June 27th, 17S7. 
The Minister refered to in the petition was Rev. Rob- 
ert Rutherford. At what time he began to preach in 
the town is uncertain, probably from all circumstances, 
about the time the inhabitants petitioned for incorpora- 



;» Hubbatd cited by fullivan page ijl. 
•f Sullivao p<»ge 178» 



BRUNSWICK. 93 

tfon. He was the only Minister of Brunswick for seven 
years. It does not appear that any Church was gather- 
ed during his Ministry, nor that he had any regular or- 
dination there. A civil contract only was made between 
him and the people, and a regular salary offered him 
provided he spent his life among thenr ; but he left the 
place in the early part of the year 17 4-2. * In June of 
that year a committee of the town were authorized to 
agree with Rev. Jonathan Pierpont lo preach two or 
three months. In September of the«same year it was vot- 
ed in town meeting " that Rev. Samuel Osborne and 
Rev. James Morton, be neither of them employed in the 
public work of the ministry in this town for the future.'* 
This vote implies that they had lately preached there 
for a time. At the same meeting a person was appoint- 
ed to agree with some " orthodox" Minister to preach 
the ensuing winter as a probationer, and to settle if he 
and the inhabitants of the town could agree. In the 
month of November following, a person was sent to 
Falmouih to treat will) Rev. Mr. Hodge, then at that 
place, respecting preaching at Brunswick for four or sis 
months. Tlie next Preacher at this place was a Mr. 
Bosworth who laboured with the people a short time. 
In February 1744, an attempt was made to settle Mr, 
James Morton, which failed, and the people were prob- 
ably destitue of stated preaching for about three years. 
In December 1746, the town voted to invite Mr. Rob- 
ert Dunlap to preach for them for a term of time with 
a view to settlement, and agreed to pay him four 
pounds old tenor per Sabbath. 



^ Mt, Buthcford CiccJ h Thatnastoji. See Chnj>. i7tH> 



94! CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Mr. Dunlap was born in Ireland, in the County of 
Antrim, and province of Ulster, in August 1715. He 
was educated at the University of Edinburgh, and after 
having completed his Collegiate course, he commenced 
the study of Divinity. 

At the age of nineteen years he received the degree of 
A. M. and was licensed to preach. In the spring of 
1736, he embarked for America. The vessel in which 
be sailed was wrecked on the Isle of Sable, and Mr. 
Dunlap with some others of the crew were landed on 
the Isle of Canso. By direction of Governour Shelby 
he was taken from this place in a small fishing vessel ta 
Cape Ann in Massachusetts, and thence went to Boston. 
He soon left Boston and engaged m a School in Dracut. 
In a short time he left Dracut, and removed to Noble- 
borough in Maine. After this he resided awhile at 
Boothbay, and then at Sheepscutt Bridge in New-Cas- 
lile, from which place he came to Brunswick. * After 
some time spent on probation, the town agreed to settle 
him as their M+nister, offering him an annual salary of 
200/. old tenor and to hire him a house during the war. It 
was agreed between Mr. Dunlap and the people that he 
should be ordained in Boston, and Deacon Samuel 
Hinkley and Mr. Ebenezer Stanwood were appointed as 
commissioners to repair to Boston on behalf of the town, 
and receive Mr. Dunlap as their Minister. According- 
ly, during the summer of 1747, Rev, Mr. Dunlap was 
ovdained in Boston in themeeting-house of Rev. Andrew 



♦ Manuscript in possession of the Dunlap fAmU^ 



BRUNSWICK. 9f 

Le Mercier» Minister of the Protestant Freach Church,* 
by a Presbytery composed of Rev. Mr. Le Mercier, 

Rev. Mr. Morton ©f Colrain, Rev. Mr. Davidson, of 
Londonderry, Rev. Mr. Wilson, and Rev Mr. McLoth- 
lin. 

Mr. Dunlap continued the Minister of Brunswick^- 
bout thirteen years. Some difficulties had arisen be- 
tween him and the people respecting the payment of his 
salary, and a Council was proposed to advise in the 
case. Rev. Mr. Smith of Falmouth, Rev. Mr. MorriM 
of Biddeford, and Rev. Mr. Lorrain were invited. The 
result of this Council is not now known, but it led to 
the speedy dismission of Mr. Dunlap, which appears to 
have taken place in October 1760. f Another candi- 
date was immediately sought. The committee of the 
town were directed to apply to Mr. Fairfield or Mr, 
Whitwell to preach on probation, but neither of them 
were obtained. In August of the year following Mr. 
John Miller was engaged, and in December the Church 
*and town concurred in giving him a call. In Novem* 



» " A smail brick Churck was built in School street, by some French Prot- 
estants, who camehitkcr after Louis 14th had revoked the edict of Nantes 
Tl !685, and soppressed Prote«taatism in France, when many thousands Hu- 
aonots were obliged to lc«ve it. The descendants of the founders of this 
liouse, as they formed new connexioos gradually dropped off. Tfaose who re- 
j.TiAUied were few in number, and the support of a Minister was an expense 
.hey could aot vkW continue. The Rev. Andrew Le Merc;cr» a worthy 
I'haracteri disisted from, officiating. The house was afterwards purchased 
py a new society and Rev, Andrew Croswell installed in it. It is now (I794T 

sed a* a Romau Catholic Chapel." Mass. Hist.. Coll. Vol. 3, page Z64. 

t Mr. Dunlap was never settled again in the miaistry'. He li<?cd itt BruiT?/- 
Vick until his desth wjiicii took pUicc June jUch 1775. 



36 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

ber 1762, Mr. Miller was ordained. Very little can be 
ascertained respecting the state of the Church previous 
to this period ; nor can any certain date be fixed for its 
organization. At the settlement of Mr. Dunlap no 
mention is made of a Church act, and all the necessary 
measures were taken by the town. It is therefore most 
probable that Mr. Durtlap gathered the Church at some 
time after his ordination. It was originally established 
on Presbyterian principles, and so continued during the 
ministry of Mr. Dunlap. After the settlement of Mr. 
Miller it assumed a mixed character for about seven 
years. The number of Church members were then 
about seventy, among whom were seven Deacons. In 
the year 1769, Mr. Miller declared himself a Con- 
gregationalist. Some few difficulties arose in the 
Church on this account, but they were soon amicably 
adjusted, and it appears that the Church consented to 
the alteration without a formal vote. For twenty years 
after the settlement of Mr. Miller, the Church and peo- 
ple weie at peace among themselves, and the Society 
was in as prosperous a state as other Societies during 
those days of trial'in the country. Several lay Exhor- 
ters had, about that time, visited Brunswick, and been 
the occasion of no small division among the people. 
In 1785, the Church took the subject under considera- 
tion, but being somewhat divided in sentiment among 
themselves, it was thought best not to take any very 
decisive measures. But now a series of ditHcuities com- 
menced between Mr. Miller, and the Church and peo- 
ple.. In June 1786, the town voted to dismiss Mr. Mil-j 



BRUNSWiClv. 97 

ler. In May foilov/lng the Church voted on the same 
subject, and found a majority of nearly two to one in 
favor of retaining him. This led to another town meet- 
ing, when a majority was found in his favor. The dif* 
ficulties still continued, and in June 1788, it was pro. 
posed to call in a Council to advise them; but there is no 
evidence that a council ever assembled on this occasion. 
Before the close of the year I\Ir. Miller died in Boston. 

After the death of Mr. Miller and before the settle- 
ment of his successor, the town employed a number of 
candidates for settlement. In August 1792, the Church 
voted to invite Mr. Abraham Moore to settle with them, 
which he declined. 

Rev. Ebenezer Coffirs their next Pastor, was ordain- 
ed June 23d HQi, and after preaching eight years, he 
was dismissed. 
I After the dismission of Mr. Coffin the people employ* 
i ed a number of Preachers, and were often destitute. 
! In 1810, Mr. John Bartlet, since settled in Marblehead, 
I had an invitation to become their Minister, but the want 
i of unanimity led him to refuse. In the same year Mr. 
Benjamin White, afterward the Minister of Wells, •re- 
ceived an invitation to take the pastoral charge of this 
Church, but for a similar reason he declined. 
I In May 1811, Rev. Winthrop Bailey was ordained 
Pastor of the Church in Brunswick, which was then re- 
duced to seventeen members. Three years after, the 
1 circumstances of the Parish induced Mr. Bailey to ask 
a dismission, which after taking the advice of a Council 
was effected in April 1814?. Mr. Bailey has since been 

I 



9$, CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

installed at Pelham In Massachusetts, and the Church at 
Brunswick Is still destitute of a stated Pastor. 

We have already remarked that the ancient Pegyp- ; 
scott settlement lay on both sides of Androscoggin Riv- 
er Including Topsham as well as Brunswick. It will 
be proper therefore to notice the Ecclesiastical affairs of' 
this town in connexion with the town of Brunswick. = 

After the entire destruction of the ancient settlement 
ID 1690, nothing was attempted for ten years. In the 
year 1 700, another attempt was made, but the Indians 
again rendered the situation of the few families, who had- 
settled there, so unpleasant that the town was nearly or 
quite abandoned ; and it was not until 1730, that the' 
settlement was permanently made. Even then it was 
inconsiderable, containing, In 1750, only eighteen fami-' 
lies. * Nine years after this a meeting-house was built, 
and In 1764, the town was incorporated. The princl« 
pal settlement being made near the falls, directly oppo-* 
bite to the settlements in Brunswick, an Intimate con- 
nexion subsisted between the two towns ; and from sev- 
eral circumstances it seems highly probable that thc^ 
people at Topsham generally attended public worship at 
Brunswick. The consideration of one fact shews this 
to have been their practice. In 1752, the town of 
Brunswick petitioned the Legislature to annex Topgi/ 
ham to them for the support of their Minister, except 
the people of Topsham would engage to pay Rev. Mr> 
Dunlap eighty pounds, old tenor, that year, f The 



* Massachusetts Hist. C6l. 
f Brunswick town Reeoids. 



TOPSHAM. 99 

towns were both small at that time, and very probably 
Mr. Dunlap performed pastoral duties in both places as 
occasion called. 

After this, the people at Topsham began to have 
preaching among themselves, and in the year 1771, a 
Piesbyterian Church was organized there by Rev. Mr, 
Murry then of Booth-Bay, and Rev. Joseph Prince, 
It consisted of twenty-seven members. The Church 
and town were occasionally supplied with preaching, 
but no Minister was settled with them for eighteen years. 
At length in September 1 789, Rev. Jonathan EUis was 
ordained at Topsham. The old Church had dwindled 
away, and at the ordination of Mr. Ellis it was reor- 
ganized on Congregational principles, and continues so 
to the present time. In the year 1810 Mr. Ellis was 
dismissed without any ecclesiastical formalities, having 
ceased preaching several years before, and the Church is 
now reduced to less than twenty members, and is desti- 
tute of a settled Minister. 



i09 COXGUEGATIOKTALISTS, 

CHAPTER XL 

I 
1754. 

The next religious establishment in the State was 
made in the town of New-Castle. This town was for- 
merly under tliC government of the Duke of York, and 
was known by the name of Dartmouth, in the County 
of Cornwall. A settlement was made in the town as 
early as in any part of the Peraaquid country. A fort 
was built on a neck of land on Cheepscutt River, which 
with all the buildings were destroyed by the Savages in 
the year 1680, and the inhabitants dispersed.* 

At what time the town was resettled is uncertain. 
Their records commence with the year 1 754?. The in- 
habitants then in the town had, probably been educated 
as Presbyterians, for they chose that form of Church gov- 
ernment, and had put themselves under the care of the 
^ Boston Presbytery.'* It seems that Mr. Alexander 1 
Boyd had been preaching in the town, previous to its! 
incorporation, for in the same year (1754) the town 
voted to appropriate 40/. toward suppoiting the Gos- 
pel among them, and appointed James Clark and Rob- 
ert Hodge a committee to attend the meeting of the- 
Presbytery at Boston, to present a call to Mr. Boyd to 
become their Minister, By advice of the Presbytery 
Mr. Boyd returned an affirmative answer, and with the 
tonsent of the town the Presbytery appointed the Tues- 
day after the third Sabbath in Augut 1754- for his or- 
dination. As a matter of convenience the ordination 



■*S¥HJvi:n page ifi^. 



NEW-CASTLE. 101 

wasf appointed to take place in the Presbyterian meet- 
ing-house In Newburyport, and the following trial was 
appointed for the candidate on that occasion : " A pop- 
ular Sermon upon John xiv. 1 9, and an Exegesis upon 
that question — An peccatum originale sit in sua natura 
damnabile?'** But the vessel in which Mr. Boyd and 
the committee were embarked being detained by con- 
trary winds, he did not reach Newburyport at the time 
appointed for the ordination. It was therefore post- 
poned until Sept. 19th of the same year, when it was 
duly performed. On this occasion Mr. McGregore, of 
Londonderry, preached from 2 Tim. ii. 3. Mr. Moor- 
head of Boston, gave the charge, and Mr. Parsons of 
Newburyport, presented the right hand. The inhabi- 
tants of the tovs^n of New-Castle were not unanimously 
in favor of Mr. Boyd. At the time of his ordination 
2 remonstance was presented to the Presbytery from 
Nathaniel Win slow and others who called themselves 
Congregationalists, and who objected to having Mr. 
Boyrf w^ over them, f But their objections did not 
jre^'if t% After the ordination the difficulties increased 
•atiier thaii diminished, and tlie town was divided into 
,)0^'erful parties. In June 1 756, a vote was obtained 
|n town meeting not to receive Mr. Boyil as their Min- 
kter ; but it was immediately objected that he had been 
Received. The town then agreed, to submit the ques- 
|Ion to the Presbytery, but voted that he should not 
[>reach at Damariscotta side of the town. At the an= 



I * Presbyteria] records for May 15, 1754, 
i + Ibid. 

i Is 



lOa >€ON©RE€iATlONALISTS. 

?5ual meeting in the ensuing spring, it was proposed hf 
the towH to enquire into the leasons why the Sacra- 
ment of the Lord's supper had not been administered 
by Mr. Boyd since his ordination. It does not appear 
that any particular inquiry was made concerning this 
matter, but the town voted that Mr. Boyd's conduct 
was a grievance to them, and at the same time they 
iHjnt a man to the Presbytery with an account of this 
matter. 

The next year found Mr. Boyd still at New-Castle, 
and the town still greatly dissatisfied insomueh that at 
a town meeting in July 1 758, the town Clerk was di- 
rected to write to the Presbytery desiring the speedy 
removal of Mr. Boyd, which was finally effected before 
the close of the year. 

Within two years after this, the people in the westep 
ly part of Bristol, and the southerly part cf what is 
now Nobleborough, called then the plantation of Wal- 
pole, had employed Rev. Natlian Ward, formerly set^ 
tied at Watertown in Massachusetts, to preacl; i^on^ 
them. In January 1761, the town of New-^pv^-f-^ot 
ed to become one Congregation with the -^ ^'^ oi 
Walpole, and unite with them in the settleme*. At! 

Ward, on condition that he preached at New-Castle one 
half of the time. At the same time they voted to pre 
sent a formal invitation to Mr. Ward to settle with them 
but in view probably of the difficulties they had witi 
Mr. Boyd, they appointed a committee to inquire int( 
the reasons why he had been dismissed from his formei 
charge. In May following the town of New-Castle re- 



NEW-CASTLE 103 

aewed their call to Mr. Ward, and offered to support 
him wholly among themselves. This invitation he ac- 
cepted, and matters vveie put in train for his installa- 
tion. A Council was chosen by the town, but *he time 
and place for performing the ceremonies were left to 
that Council. But before the Council had assembled a 
difficulty arose. Doubts were entertained whether Mr, 
Ward had been properly dismissed from Watertown, 
and application was made to the Ministers in and about 
Boston respecting this matter. The result of this in- 
quiry is unknown as it respected the matter in questionj 
but a stop was put to all further proceedings, and Mr. 
Ward left New-Castle. 

The people were now destitute of stated preaching 
for four or five years. In the beginning of the year 
1763, the town voted to send to Newburyport desiring 
Rev. Mr. Parsons to make them a visit, for the purpose 
of preaching a Sabbath or two with them, and advis- 
ing them in their present difficulties j and also that 
he would procure them a candidate for settlement. 
But their affairs \vith Mr. Ward were still in an unsettled 
state, and in October of that year, at his request the 
town voted to withdraw the invitation they had extend- 
ed to him, and he was soon after settled at Plymouth in 
New-Hampshire. 

In February 1766, the town chose a committee to 
confer witli Mr. Job Lain, who had been preaching in 
that vicinity and to invite him to tarry with them a- 
while on probation. In July of that year he was in- 
vited 10 settle at New-Castle, but declined; and the p«o« 



104f CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

pie were again left destitue for the space of another 
year. About this time Mr. Murry settled at Booth- 
bay, and an uncommon attention to religion was mani« 
fest in all that region. New-Castle shared in the bles- 
sing, and it is supposed that a considerable number 
were hopefully converted. * 

In June 1767, the town invited Rev. Samuel Perley, 
who had been once settled at Seabrook in New-Hamp- 
shire, to become their Minister. He also declined their 
invitation. ,After two years more a call was given by 
the town to Mr. William Southmayd to settle there, and 
in 1770, an invitation was also presented to Mr. Joel 
Benedict, but in both cases they failed of success. 

In May 1770, some months after the town had vot- 
ed the call to Mr. Benedict, the people began to think it 
important to have a Church organized among them. 
It was now about twelve years since the dismission of 
Mr. Boyd, who received regular ordination as their 
Minister. But it may be questioned whether there was 
a Church properly organized at New-Castle in his day. 
At the time the call of the people was presented to 
Mr. Boyd at the meeting of the Presbytery in Boston 
in May 1754, William Hodge was accused before that 
body for some offence, and by them " remanded back 
to the Church at New-Castle where he belongs, to give 
satisfaction there as soon as that Church shall be duly or" 
ganized." f It is hence evident that no QJburch had 
then been gathered. By the facts already stated re- 



* See on account of tWs revival ki th« sketch of Boothbay, Chap, I4tto, 
J Presbyterial Rwords. 



NEW-CASTLE. 105 

specting the ministry of Mr. Boyd, it is certain that he 
did not administer the Sacrament of the Lord's supper 
there at least for three years after his ordination. It is 
equally certain that at the proposed settlement of Mr. 
Ward in about two years after Mr. Boyd left the town, 
the Council was chosen and all the other arrangements 
made by the people at large, assembled in town meet- 
ing, and no reference whatever was made to a Church. 
Had there been a Church existing in New-Castle at that 
time undoubtedly there would have been some men- 
tion made of it ; and if one Minister had been consider- 
ed as settled in the town without a Church, it is not 
strange that the people should think of settling 
another in the same way. But several years had now 
transpired. The people were becoming more nume- 
ftim aria^'JDt^bafely more enlightened. Several candi- 
dates had been among them, and it is highly probable 
that they now became satisfied of the impropriety of 
ordaining a Minister M-ithout a Cliurch. Or if a Church 
had been organized by Mr. Boyd; it was perhaps small, 
and no additions being made to it, it had now become 
extinct. Be these things as they may, arrangements 
were now made to have a Church. But such were the 
imperfect ideas of the people on these subjects, that they, 
adopted a singular method to obtain this desirable end. 
It was voted in town meeting to send to Rev. Mr. Em^ 
erson of Georgetown, and to Rev. Mr. Eaton of Harps- 
well, and desire them to choose another "sound oitho- 
dox minister," and repair to New-Castle for ihe pur* 
pose of gathering aChyrch, preparative tq tlie settlement 



106 GONGREGATIONALISTS. 

of Mr, Benedict, who was still with them, for although 
he had not answered their call, yet he appears to have 
manifested a disposition to tarry.* Whether the people 
expected those Minisiers to make a selection from the 
inhabitants for a Church, is not now known. But for 
some reason they did not see fit to comply with the in« 
vitation.f Mr. Benedict answered the call of the peo- 
ple in the negative, and they were left destitute of stated 
preaching for three years. During this interval the town 
appointed a committee with ample powers to obtain 
a supply, and Capt. James Carglll from the committee 
was authorized to go until he could obtain a candidate 
for settlement. Mr. Jesse Reed was soon employed, and 
in October 1773, he received a call, but declined settling 
at New-Castle. The succeeding spring Mr. Samuel 
Wheelock was employed on probatloni.and in the ypring 
following Mr. John Urguhart was there also, but neither 
of them were invited to settle. In March 1 776, the 
town presented a call to Mr. Thurston Whiting, which 
he accepted, and was ordained in July of that year. 

The town had hitherto been accustomed to Presbyte- 
lian forms, but previous to the ordination of Mr. Whit- 
ing the inhabitants voted to adopt any form that should 
be most agreeable to him. He was a Congregational- 
ist, and at the time of the ordination a small Church 
of that name was gathered. 

The ministry of Mr. Whiting continued five years and 
an half at New-Castle. He was dismissed In January 
1782, and has never since been settled in the ministry* 



♦New-Castle Town Records, -f Rev. Mr. Eaton's letter f the author. 



NEW-CASTLE. 107 

For about fifteen succeeding years the people at this 
alace were destitute of stated preaching. In 1794, a 
Mr. Williams was invited to preach on trial, but receiv- 
ed no call. In October 1797, their present Minister, 
Rev. Kiah Bayley, was ordained. At that time a Church 
3f three persons only, beside the Pastor, was organized, 
[he old Church having become extinct. God has not 
jince suffered this spot to become desolate, as it had pre- 
viously been. The little vine has not been wasted. 
There was a time of refreshing from the presence of the 
Lord, at this place, in the autumn of 1816, and the 
winter following, so that in May 1817 the Church con- 
sisted of fifty.four members. 



108 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

CHAPTER XII. 

1763. 

The first settlements in the second range of towa* 
ships from the sea in the County of York, were made 
between the years 174'0 and 1750, although for se- 
veral years after this last date, there were but a 
few habitations made in the whole range of territory. 
The first Church regularly gathered in this region was 
at Buxton. The place was called at first "Naragansett 
No. 1.'* When there were only twenty families in the 
town Mr. Paul Coffin was employed to preach there. 
Stipulations having been made by the inhabitants for his 
permanent support, a church was organized, and he was 
ordained in March 1763. Dr. Coffin continued to preach 
constantly, and perform all the pastoral labour in his 
parish until the summer of 1817. Age and infirmity 
HOW made it necessary that he should have assistance, 
and Mr. Levi Loring was engaged for this purpose. 
Toward autumn of the same year measures were taken 
for a more permanent settlement, and in November of I 
that year Mr. Loring was ordained as Colleague Pastor 
with Dr. Coffin. The aged Pastor of this Church clo- i 
sed his life in June 1821 and Rev, Mr. Loring remains 
alone. 

The next Church organized was at Lebanon. 
This place was first settled in the year 1747 and was 
then called by the Indian name, Towwoh. Rev. Isaac 
Hasey was the first Minister of the town. He removed 
his family there among the first inhabitants, and was 



INTERIOR OF THE COUNTY OF YORK. 109 

supported for seventeen years by the original proprie- 
tors of the land. The Church was organized, and Mr. 
Hasey ordained June 25, 1765. Relived happily with 
the people for more than forty years, and died in Octo- 
.ber 1812, after a short sickness. Within a few weeks 
alter Mr. Hasey's dea.h Mr. Paul Jewett was engaged 
to preach at Lebanon, and after preaching there more 
tlian a year was ordained to the pastoral care of the 
Church in April 1814?. A considerable attention to re- 
ligion soon took place, and the Church was consrderably 
enlarged ; but after a few years difficulties arose. Mr. 
Jewett at length requested a dismission, and after ta- 
king the advice of a Council, the pastoral relation was 
dissolved in October 1819. The Church is now vacant. 
About fifty families are attached to the Congregational 
Society, and about sixty members in the Church. 

SANFORD. 

This town was settCed about the same time with Le- 
banon, and was then called Philipstown. ACalvinistic 
! Baptist Church being the first Church gathered here, 
I the settlement of a Congregational Mmister did not 
I take place for a considerable tim.e. A Mr. Hall was 
! the first person employed by the Congregational Socie- 
j ty. He received an invitation to settle, but declined. 
i Rev. Moses Sweat, the present Pastor of the Church, was 
1 the first Minister in this Society. The Church was or- 
f ganized, and Mr. Swett ordained in the month of July 
; 1786. 

ALFRED. 

This town was originally a part of Sanford. Tke 
K 



J If) CONGREGATION ALISTS. 

first permanent settlement of this part of the town, and 
what is now Water borough and Lyman was made about 
the year 1766. The settlement was Called Massabesec, 
from the Indian name of a large Pond in the town. 
Some of the first inhabitants were serious men, who 
knew too well the value of the public ordinances of reli* 
gion to be long without them. While the settlement 
was very inconsiderable, and those few scattered to the 
idistance of many miles around, meetings were held on 
the Sabbath, and sermons read. These feeble means 
were graciously noticed by tlie great Head of the Church, 
and in the year HSO, a considerable awakening took 
place, and a number were hopefully converted. At 
that time there was no Congregational Church nearer 
than Berwick on the one side^ and Buxton on the other, 
and in order to give the people opportunity occasionally 
to enjoy the Sacraments of the New Testament, a 
Church of between twelve and twenty members was or* 
ganized there by Rev. Mr. Little of Kennebunk, and 
Rev. Mr. Merriam of Berwick. In 1782, the northern 
part of Sanford was incorporated as a distinct Parish> 
and became a common centre !br the newly formed 
Church. The attention to religion, which led to the for* 
Tftation of this Church, continued. The awakening in 
some cases was very powerful. Some of the subjects 
of it, were strangely affected. For a time they attended 
the Congregational i;neetings regularly, but at length 
became disorderly, separated, and ultimately formed 
the Society of the Shaking Quakers in that place. 

It does not appear that the Church thus formed at 
Alfred ever received any accessions. Neither is it nov^ 



INTEUIOU OF YORK COUNTY. Ill 

known whether they kept any records, or performed any 
Church act. It is most probable they did neither, for at 
the subsequent settlement of Ministers, both in Alfred and 
Lyman, no Church could be found, and the ordaining 
Council proceeded to organize one ;n each place. The 
scattered population in the north part of Sanford, Wa*. 
terborough and Lyman continued to act as one people in 
religious matters for six or seven years after the forma- 
tion of their Church. At length the north Parish in 
Sanford, as it was then called, began to act independent^ 
ly, and to take measures for the settlement of a Minister. 
In July 1787, Mr. David Porter was invited to settle 
there, but declined. Another candidate was soon ob- 
tained. This was Mr. Isaac Babbet. In December of 
the year 17S8, the Parish gave him a call, v/hich he also 
declined. In a little more than a year from this a third 
candidate, a Mr. Wight, was called by the Parish, and 
declined. Still resolved to enjoy the stated ministry of 
the v/ord, the people sought another candidate, this was 
Mr. John Turner. In February 1791, the people gave 
him a call, v/hich being accepted, he was ordained in 
September following. In the winter of 1793, the par- 
ish was incorporated into a town by the name of Alfred. 
Mr. Turner remained the Minister of Alfred nearly 
[twelve years. He was then dismissed and afterward in- 
1 stalled at Biddeford. The Church and people of Alfred 
'were destitute of preaching but a short season, for in 
August 1804, only three months after the dismission of 
!Mr. Turner, the people invited Rev. Jabez Pond Fisher 
: who had been recently dismissed from Nottingham West 
m New-Hampshire, to settle with them, but Mr. Fishei\ 



11^ eONGKEGATIOKALISTS. 

declining their invitation, Rev. Joseph Brown, who had 
once been settled at Shapleigh, was employed to preach 
on probation. After hearing him until April 1 805, the 
people gave him a call, and he was installed in autumn 
of the same year. After about four years the connex- 
ion between Rev. Mr, Brown and the Church and peo- 
ple at Alfred was dissolved by mutual consent. The 
people were now dispirited, and made no more exertion 
for the settlement of a minister among them for several 
years. They received some aid from the occasional visits 
of Missionaries and made some small subscriptions among 
themselves. |n the beginning of the year 1816, the spirit 
of the people revived. But the Church had dwi'ndled a- 
way toasmall number, and the Parish was without officers* 
having held no legal meeting for nearly six years. In 
April 1816, the Parish was reorganized, and matters put 
in train for employing a candidate for settlement. Mr. 
Nathan Douglas was employed, and in November of 
that year was ordained pastor of the Church, and re- 
mains with them to the present time. It does not ap" 
pear that the town of Alfred was ever visited with a ge- 
neral effusion of the Holy Spirit. The attention to reli- 
gion in the first settlement of the town has been noticed. 
In the spring of 1817, a considerable awakening took 
place, and about twenty five persons made public pra- 
fession of religion. Two years after eight persons more 
were added to the Church. 

LIMlNGrON, PARSONSFIELD, LIMERICK, NEWFIELD. 

Settlements weie commenced in the "Ossipee coun- 
try," duri-ng the revolutionary war, and a few families 
had moved into each of the towns of Limington^ Parsoas-' 



INTERIOR OF YORK COUNT V. IIS 

field, Limerick, and New field. The proprietors of New* 
field, or the plantation of Washington as it was then 
called, sensible of the importance of a preached Gospel 
in the new settlements, made a grant ofl'OO acres of land 
to Rev. John Adams, who had been previously settled 
at Durham in New-Hampshire, and he removed his fa- 
mily to that town in February 1781.* There were 
^hen only five families in Nevvfield, and twelve in Lim- 
erick. Mr. Adams was a Physician as well as a Minis- 
ter, and rendered himself very useful in both professions. 
He preached constantly and practiced physic in those 
four towns for ten years, until his death, which took 
place at Newfield June 4, 1792. No very considerable 
attention to religion was excited by the labours of Mr. 
Adams in this region. The only religious establishment 
that he lived to witness there was the gathering of a 
small Church of six members at Limlngton, which was 
organized by him in October 1789. 

In 1793, the Church at Limington in connexion with 

the town invited Mr. Jonathan Atkinson to settle with 

them in the work of the Ministry. He accepted their 

invitation, and was ordained in October 1794<. It was 

a feeble society, but in 1802, a special attention to reli» 

[■ gion appeared, and a number were added to theChurch. 

I But from several causes about the year 1814, the civil 

I' contract between Mr. Atkinson and the people was dis- 

j ^A writer in the Massachusetts Historical Collections thus notices Mr. Ad- 
j; ams : «»a son of this Matthew Adams was Minister of Durham in New- 
i; Hampshire, the Rev. John Adams ; a man of superior natural talents, but 
|i rather ecccntiick in his genius. A specimen of fine writing was exhibited in. 
:: a letter sent to this town (Boston; with a donation 1774 signed John Ad- 
ams, and John Sullivan, the committee. The allusion to the land 0/ pro- 
' *iitt was ihgught to be a? elegant as it was pious.'> 

Hist. Coll, vol. 5, page 21 1 nttfi* 
K2 



ill! CONGIIEGATIONALISTS. 

solved and he ceased preaching, but has still the past<> 
ral care of the Church. 

In the year 1793, the people at Parsonsfield made 
cx)nsiderable exertion for the settlement of a Minister. 
Mr. Rufus Anderson, a graduate of Dartmouth College, 
of the class of 1791, was then preaching in the town. 
Some attention to religion appeared, and the people 
were exceedingly anxious that be should settle among 
them. He however declined their invitation and wass 
afterward settled in the West Parish in North- Yarmouth* 
now Cumberland. In a little more than a year the peo- 
ple obtained as a candidate Mr, Benjamin Rolfe, and in 
January 1795, a Church was organized, and he was or- 
dained. — Mr. Rolfe continned to preach at Parsonsfield 
twenty years. He was dismissed in. May 1815, and is 
since dead. The Church in that place which was never 
large, is reduced to less than twenty members, and the 
Congregational Society to about that number of fami- 
lies. They are destitute of stated preaching. The 
Church at Limerick was organized in July 1795. Mr. 
Edmund Eastman was. then preaching at that place. 
He soon received a call, and was ordained in October 
©f that vear. Rev. Mr. Eastman was an active man, 
and while he remained in health things were as prospe- 
rous at Limerick as is usual in places not visited by 
special revivals of religion. But in about fifteen years 
after his settlement the health of Mr. Fastman declined, 
and he died in Dec. 1812. The Church was small at 
this time, the town much divided in sentiment, and the 
society consequently quite feeble. For six years they 
were occasionally supplied with preaching from YolyiP^ 



INTERIOR OF, &C. 115 

I larf subscription, and from aid afforded them by Mis- 
sionary Societies. In the year 1818, Mr. Charles Free- 
man was directed by the Trustees of the Maine Mis- 
sionary Society to labour for a term of time at Limer- 
ick. The people were pleased with his ministration s 
and employed him for a longer period, and at length 
for a year, and in January 1 820, he was regularly or- 
dained as Pastor of the Church and Minister of the peo- 
ple. 

The people at Newfield, though perhaps favored with 
more of the labours of Mr. Adams than either of the 
other towns in that region, were nevertheless longer 
than the others in obtaining a settled minister among 
them. In July 1801, a small Church was organized 
there. Mr. John Stoddard was then preaching at New- 
field, whom the people had invited to settle, but he was 
not ordained there. In February 1803, Rev. John 
Dane was ordained at Newfield. The ministry of Mr. 
Dane was short, but ruinous to the Church and Society. 
He came into possession of all their parsonage pro- 
perty, and in about eleven months was dismissed for 
gross immoralities, and they have since been destitute. 

SHAPLEIGH. 

In Shapleigh provision was early made for the sup- 
port of a Minister by a reserve of lands in the town. 
The town lying on both sides of a considerable pond 
seemed naturally divided, and it was legally so into two 
Parishes in February 1795. The west parish being first 
settled and increasing in population made arrangements 
for the settlement of a mifiister. Accordingly a Church. 



il^ COKGREGATlONAtlSTS. 

having been organized previously, in January 1796,Rer. 
Joseph Brown was ordained. Mr. Brown's ministry it 
Shapleigh was soon terminated. In May 1 804, he was 
dismissed by mutual consent, and soon after installed ^t 
Alfred. The Church and Society have never since 
thought themselves able to support a Minister, and haye 
consequently been destitute. In the eastern parish im 
Congregational Church iias ever been gathered. 

LYMAN. 

The first settlement at Lyman, called originally Cox- 
hall, has been mentioned in connexion v/ith Alfred. A- 
bout the year 1787, the people began to act as a sepa- 
rate religious society, and took measures to procure a 
JMinister. Rev. Daniel Maret, now the minister of Stan- 
dish, Rev. Thomas Roby afterward settled at Otisfield, 
and Mr, Nymphas Hatch, were among the candidates 
whose settlement at Lyman seemed more or less proba- 
ble. At length Rev. Jonathan Calef, who had been 
pnce settled at Canaan on Kennebeck River, was eTO-> 
ployed. The people gave him a call, a Church was 
gathered, and he was installed in November 1801. He. 
remains the present Minister of the place. 



IKtERIOR of CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 117 

CHAPTER XIII. 

1765. 

Following the order of time our attention will next 
be directed to the Churches in the interior of Cumber^ 
land County, where we shall find the nine following, 
viz. New-Gloucester, Standish, Gray, Bridgton, two in 
Minot, Durham, Otisfield, and Raymond. We begin 
with 

NEW-GLOUCESTER. 

The town of New^-Gloucester was granted by the Ge- 
neral Court of die then Province of Massachusetts Bay 
to sixty inhabitants of Gloucester in Essex County, 
March 27, 1 736, and confirmed to them in July ot the 
following year. The settlement of the town was imme- 
diately commenced, and a saw mill and twelve log hou- 
ses built. The first opening in the town was made by 
Jonas Mason, Esq. who afterwards settled at North- 
Yarmouth. It was on the northeast side of the hill now 
called "Harris* hill," on the farm afterwards occupied 
by Mr. Washburn. Some trees were also felled the 
same summer by a Mr. Russell, on the opposite side o£ 
the road, nearer the bottom of the hill. But the Indians 
were so troublesome, there being no settlements to the 
north of them, that the town was abandoned for seven-* 
teen years. In 175t it began to be inhabited, many of 
the original proprietors settled there, a garrison was 
built for security against the Savages, and the town was 
soon regularly organized. 

It was the laudable practice ef that day for the pre- 



118 CONXSREGATIONALISTS* 

prietors of new towns whether actual settlers or not, t» 
iead the way in the settlenient of Ministers. Accord* 
ingly, the proprietors of New-Gloucester gave a tract 
of land in the town for the support of the Ministry, and 
a lot near the centre of the town for the firft settled 
minister ; they also immediately took measures for ob« 
taining a candidate. Mr. Russel, who afterwards set- 
tled as a Physician in North-Yarmouth, and Rev Sam-, 
uel Eaton since settled in Harpswell, each received a 
call to settle at New-Gloucester but declined. In the 
autumn of 1761-, Mr. Samuel Foxcroft son of Rev. 
Thomas Foxcroft of Boston, was employed to preach on 
probation. He was soon invited by the people to settle 
•with them, and on the 16th of January 1765 a Church 
was organized, and Mr. Foxcroft ordained. The ori- 
ginal members of the Church were eight in number, ©f 
■whom none now remain.* There being no Meeting, 
house in the Town, at first public worship was attended 
in the Garrison.f For a number of years Mr. Fox^ 
croft's salary was paid by the proprietors, and all things 
were conducted with harmony both in Church and Par- 
ish. After sixteen years, from some catise or other, dif- 
ficulties arose, so that in 1783, a Fad was held by the 
Church on account of their troubles, and to seek of God 
a right way for themselves and their children. In 
March of the succeeding year the town appeared to be 

* Their names were Samuel Foxcroft, John Tufts, Jabcz True, Daniel 
Merrill, Moses Woodbury, Williani Stevens, Ebenezer M;\son and Peleg 
Chandler. 

fThe Garrison stood about lOO rods south-we»t from t]i« Meeting hot:?'?, 
OR the lower side of the load. 



KEW- GLOUCESTER. ifS 

tiudi disaffected and proposed to the Church to obtain 
another preacher for two months, but to this proposal 
the Church would not accede. Things now seemed to 
be coming to a crisis, and in May following Mr. Fox^ 
croft requefted a dismission. A Council being called 
advised against such a procedure, and proposed con- 
ciliatory measures on both sides. These were accord* 
ingly adopted, and arrangements were amicably ma^e 
for the settlement of a Colleague with Mr. Foxcroft. 
In January 1786, the Church and Parish concurred in 
i^n invitation to Mr. John Wilder to settle with them, 
^ut he declined, and is since settled in Attleborough in 
Massachusetts. Mr. Foxcroft ceased preaching, and 
telinquished hi« salai-y, in order to open the way clearly 
for the settlement of another Minister, although he was 
not dismissed. The people soon employed Mr. Nathan 
Church, now the Minister of* Bridgton, to preach on pro- 
bation, and In March 1787i united in giving him a call, 
h\it he also declined their invitation. 

A dark cloud now appeared to hang over the Church 
and they had but little encouragement to seek another 
•eandidate. At this state of their affairs Mr. Foxcroft 
again commenced preaching, and we hear of no more 
difficulties for nearly three years. The year 1791 will 
be long remembered by the people who then lived in 
New-Gloucester. In that year a young man named 
Wait Cornwall, a native of Connecticut, who had late- 
ly been licensed to preach, journeying for his health 
came to New-G oucester and spent several months with 
Rev. Mr. Foxcroft. He was very much devoted to the 
cause of Christ, and appeared to feel deeply the worth 



i:gO CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

of souls. His preaching and private addresses were 
aolemn and pungent, and the people soon became un- 
commonly attentive to the subject of religion. The 
public assemblies became crowded and solemn, and pri- 
vate meetings for conference and prayer were frequent- 
ly held. The awakening while it lasted was exceed- 
ingly powerful, great emotions were sometimes discov- 
ered during public worship, and in most cases very 
strong impressions of the importance of religion were 
made. It is difficult to ascertain the precise nurhber of 
those converted during this season of awakening, but 
the excitement was very considerable, and there is rea- 
son to believe that much good was effected. This sea- 
son of leligious attention, after what had taken placSat 
New-Gloucester, was like the clear shining after the rain, 
and was doubtless refreshing in no small degree to those 
who like pious Simeon and Anna of old were waiting 
for the consolation of Israel. But this pleasant pros- 
pect wa? soon obscured. The uneasiness between the 
Pastor and the people soon shewed itself again, and in 
January 1792 Mr. Foxcroft again requested a dismission, 
to which the Church consented without the advice of a 
Council. 

Mr. Nathan Bradstreet was soon engaged to supply 
the pulpit, and in 0«5lober of that year received an 
unanimous call of both Church and parish to settle with 
them. He however declined their invitation, and was 
settled afterward at Chester in New-Hampshire, To- 
ward winter it became a question with the Church 
whether Mr. Foxcroft was really dismissed, and to make 



NEW-GLOUCESTER. 4§1 

it certain, in January 1793, they passed a vote to that 
effe^ as they had done the year before. 

During the ensuing summer Mr. Otis Crosby was 
employed by the people to preach with them. Divine 
influences appeared to be afforded in a considerable de- 
gree, and some whose attention had been excited by 
the preaching of Mr. Cornwall, now gave evidence of 
a change of heart. In November of this year a call 
was presented to Mr. Crosby to take the pastoral 
charge of the Church, to which he returned ao af- 
firmative anfwer, and June 19, 1794, was appointed 
f6r his ordination. But God had appointed a different 
result to the affairs of the Church and people at New- 
Gloucester ; and they had still to contend with many 
troubles. As the spring opened Mr. Crosby*s health, 
naturally feeble, began rapidly to decline. He lingered 
through the summer, and all hope of his recovery being 
taken away, in October his affirmative answer was re- 
turned to him at his request, that the way might be 
open to the employment of another candidate, and he 
closed his life, May 29, 1795. About the time Mr. 
Crosby recalled his affirmative answer, the people em- 
ployed Mr. Hugh Wailis, who was afrerward settled at 
Bath, to preach, and in December of that year gave him 
a call, but he refused to settle with them. 

The pulpit was supplied with preaching during the 
summer of 1795, but no person was employed as a can- 
didate for settlement. Indeed after such a series of dif^ 
ficulties as the people had encountered for twelve years 
ttwainot strange that tliey should feel almoft dispirit- 
L 



12^ CONGREGATIONALlSra. 



I 



ed. At this time it was suggested by some ef ttie 
Church that the improper manner of Mr. Foxcroft's 
dismission might be one cause of the frowns of Provi- 
dence which they then felt ; and after consultation they 
agreed to call a council to advise them what course they 
had best pursue. The i esult of that council Is now un- 
known. For more than two years longer the people 
employed no candidate for settlement. They had ma- 
ny preachers for short terms of time, and were ©ften deS' 
titute. In the summer of 1798, Mr. James Boyd, who 
had once been a Preacher in the Methodist connexion, 
was engaged to preach on probation. In October of 
that year he received a call to settle, and having answer- 
ed it in the affirmative, a Council was summoned for 
his ordination. But a strong opposition was made and 
the Council declined proceeding. Another Council 
was invited, and then a third, but the opposition ratherj 
increased than diminished, and new and more serious! 
difficulties presented themselves to the minds of eachj 
Council Z3 they proceeded, and the idea of an ordIna«| 
tion in this case was abandoned. Mr. Boyd soon left 
the town, and was afterward settled for a time in Ban«t 
gor. 

Again the Church and people at New-Gloucester 
were left in a divided stat^, and peace and harmony 
seemed forever exiled from them. After the unplea^| 
sant excitement occasioned by these proceedings, hadi 
subsided in some measure, the people still anxious for a; 
Minister, sought another Candidate. They employed! 
Mr. John Dane. After a term of probation he received! 
a callia May 1801, and returned an affirmative answer* 



KEW-GLOUCESTER, STANDISH* 1^3 

But the Council when assembled found so many objec- 
tions to the Candidate, some presented to them by a re- 
spectable minority of the Parish, and some arising from 
other circumstances, that they declined proceeding to 
ordination. Mr Dane was afterward settled at New* 
field in York County. 

^ It was but a few weeks after Mr. Dane left the town 
' that Mr. Elisha Mosely was employed as a Candidate. 
In October of the same year he received a call, which 
he soon answered in the affirmative, and was ordained 
February 10th 1802. Thus in an unlooked for moment 
[harmony was restored to the Church and Parish after a 
i painful scene of difficulties of nearly twenty years con- 
tinuance. Rev. Mr. Mosely remains still paftor of the 
Church, and the ancient troubles remain but as the tules 
, of former times. 

Mr. Foxcroft lived to witnefs the settlement of his 
successor, and see harmony once more restored to the 
Church in whose welfare he felt deeply interested. He' 
died much respected, and lamented March 9, 1807, ai, 
the age of 72 ) ears.* 

fiTANDISH. 

The town of Standlsh was granted in the year 1751, 
to two companies of men who assisted in the reduction 
of Loulsberg. Inhabitants soon moved in, and the 
plantation was commenced under the name of Pearson- 
town. Agreeable to the laudable custom of that day^ 
the Proprietors soon engaged a Preacher. The gentle- 
man employed was Mr. Johi^ Thompson, son of Rev. 

* See Appendix, No. 4. 



184? 09NGREGATI0NALISTS. 

William Thompson of Scarborough. After preaching 
on probation, proposals were made for his settlement, i 
which being acceeded to, a Church was oiganized, and I 
Mr. Thondpson ordained its Pastor. 

This took place in October 1768. The ceiemonies 
of ordination were performed in the Rev. Mr. Smith's 
Meeting-house in Portland. At this time there were 
about thirty families in Standish. 

Mr. Thompson's salary was paid by the proprietors 
for eight years. During the revolutionary war the 
troubles on the sea coast drove many inhabitants back, 
and the settlement at Standish was greatly increased. 
The original proprietors supposing that the inhabitants 
were now well able to pay their Minister, withheld their 
usual support in the spring of 1776. Mr. Thomp- 
son still continued his labours for five years without any 
compensation. At length in the year 1 781, he suspend- 
ed his ministrations at Standish, and sought other fields 
of labour. After two years the pastoral relation was for- 
mally dissolved, and Rev. Mr. Thompson was installed 
at Berwick. The Society at Standish remained in a 
broken and destitute condition for twelve years after 
Mr. Thompson's dismission. Providence at length o- 
j)ened the way for the settlement of another Minister at 
this place, and in the year 179S, Rev. Jonathan Gould 
was ordained. But they were soon again destitute, for 
Mr. Gould lived only a year after his ordination. One 
year elapsed after this event before the present Pastor of 
the ChuTvh, Rev. Daniel Maret, was ordained. 



GRAY. . iS5 

I e GRAY. 

The Church in Gray was embodied in the month of 
ijAugust 1774-, by a Council convened for that purpose, 
j and then consisted of seven male members. In June 
©f the follov^^ing year, Rev. Samuel Nash was ordained 
to the pastoral care of that Church, and continued his 
ministrations a little more than seven years, when by 
I advice of Council his ministerial relation was dissolved, 
i The people were destitute of stated preaching two years. 
During the summer of 1784, Rev. Samuel Perley who 
|had been once settled at Seabrook in New-Hampshire, 
and then recently dismissed from Moultonborough, was 
Employed as a candidate. After hearing him the peo- 
ple gave him a call ; the Church saw fit to adopt the 
Piesbyterlan form of government, and Mr. Perley was 
installed its Pastor on the 8th of September in that year. 
Mr. Perley continued in ofKce until may 1791, when b7 
mutual agreement between him and the people he ceas- 
:ed preaching. After this, the Church being left as 
ibheep without a shepherd, were scattered. Their num- 
ber, which had ever been small, was diminished by 
deaths and removals, until only two male members re- 
Imained. For twelve years they continued in this brok- 
jen and scattered state, having only occasional preaching. 
In 1803, Rev. Daniel Weston, the present Pastor of the 
iChurch, was employed to preach on probation. In Oc- 
jtober of that year a council was called to consider the 
j ;tate of that people. After due examination the Coun- 
'cil were of opinion that the Church was extinct, and 
they proceeded to embody one anew on Congregational 
' K2 



it6 eO^^©REGATierKAClSTS. 

prindples. The two male members -who remained, 
with eight others constituted the new Church. To 
ihese ten the Council gave the right hand of fellowship, 
and greeted them as a sister Church. The next day- 
Mr. Weston was ordairted to the pastoral care of the 
■new Church.* 

BRIDGTON. 

The first family moved into Bridgton in the autumn 
of the year 1769. From ihat time the permanent set- 
tlement may be dated. In the month of August 1784, 
Rev. William Fessenden of Fryeburg, attended by Hon. 
Simon Frye as a Delegate from the Church repaired to 
Bridgton and organized a Church there of ten male 
members, and seven females. The first candidate ever 
called to take the pastoral care of this Church was their 
present Minister, Rev. Nathan Church, who was ordain- 
ed June 17, 1789. 

MINOT. 

The towns now MInot and Poland were originally 
the plantation called Bakerstown. Religious privileges 
■were not regularly enjoyed heie for several years after 
the first settlements w^ere made. In October of the 
year 1792, Rev. Jonathan Scott who had been recently 
dismissed from Yarmouth in Nova Scotia, being on his 
vay to Boston by water, was detained by contrary winds 
in North-Yarmouth over the Sabbath, and preached 
there to great acceptance, f He here became acquaint- 

* ManuscrTpt History of the Chuich in Gray on the file* of Cumberland 
Association. 

i His text en that occasion Tvas Isaiah xxxv. lo. ^' And the ranramed of 

"Jhe Lord shall return &c.— It was a time of much religious excitement at 

Nortli- Yarmouth, and both the Sermon and the atten«laiit circymitaaces wdi 

4)< U>og cojueiiibered toy many people there. 



MIXOT. i2T 

ed with Rev. Mr. Gilman, by whose means the people 
at Minot obtained some knowledge of him. " A Church 
the year before had been organized in the plantation ; 
and it having been the time of some special attention to 
religion, a strong desire prevailed to enjoy Gospel priv- 
ileges. Accordingly a committee of the Church in the 
spring of 1793, repaired to Mr. Gilman, and authoriz- 
ed him to write to Mr. Scott to come among them and 
preach the Gospel. Not receiving the letter under six 
months, he reached this place, for the first time Decem- 
ber 11, 1793. He spent the winter and a part of the 
spring in preaching among the people, and in June 1794, 
again visited his family at Yarmouth. Before leaving 
Bakerstown, the people by theii committee proposed to 
him to come among them again. But he gave no as- 
surance that he should comply with their request. He 
spent most of that summer in preaching to his former 
people in Yarmouth. In August he again left Yar- 
mouth, and reached this place about the middle of Sep- 
tember. Not long after this, the people become intent 
that he should remore his family, and take up his abode 
vrith them. About sixteen families in the northerly 
part of the plantation, made proposals for his support 
for one year and an half. In these proposals all the 
members of the Church in regular standing were a- 
greed. After duly weighing these proposals, he con- 

I sented, and turned his thoughts to the subject of bring- 
ing his family to Bakerstown. This was effected by the 

; assistance of a kind providence, and they arrived here 

j: May 1st 1795. 

Before the year ^nd an half had expired, the plantaticm 



1S8 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

became an Incorporated town by the name of Poland, 
Attempts were therefore made that as a town he should 
be settled in the ministry among them ; but such at- 
tempts were not successful. This induced a number of 
persons, nearly one hundred, and mostly heads of fami- 
lies, to enter into a covenant and agreement to call Mr. 
Scott to the work of the ministry among them. In this 
call there was a concurrence of the Church. After de- 
liberation, he gave an affirmative answer, and, by an 
Ecclesiastical Council, he was installed pastor of the 
Church and covenanted Society in Poland, July 27, 
1796."* 

In the year 1802, the town of Poland was divided, 
and the northerly part, which included the greater part 
of Mr. Scott*s Society, was called Minot. In about three 
years after this, two Meeting-houses were built in Minot, 
which gave rise to a series of difficulties both in the 
Church and Parish. At length a division took place. 
Mr. Scott was dismissed from his original charge, and 
installed as Minister of the Church and Parish in the 
eastern part of the town. This happened in August 
1S05. Rev. Mr. Scott continued Pastor of the Church 
m Minot about twenty three years. In the begining of 
February 1 81 9, his health became so much impaired 
that he was constrained to suspend his public labours. 
He lingered through the summer, and died in October 
following at the age of seventy-five. After the install- 
ation of Mr. Scott in the eastern Paiish in Minot, mea- 
suies were adopted for the regular organization of a 

♦ Rev. Mr. Greely's Sermon preached at Minot Oct, a4> iSip, soon skfter 
the fi6ceas€ of Rev, Mr. Scott. 



DURHAM. 129 

Church m the Western part of the Town, which was 
effected in October, 1806. It then consisted of 17 
members. The original members all belonged to Mr. 
Scott's Church from which they were dismissed at this 
time. In February 1811, Rev. William Pidgin, for- 
merly of Hampton in New-Hampshire, was installed 
Pastor of the second Church in Minot, in which station 
he remained a little more than eight years, and was 
then dismissed. This took place August 14-, 1819. — 
Bodi Churches are now destitute of Paftors. 

[ DURHAM. 

This Town, which was originally a part of the Pe- 
,gypscot claim, lies immediately above Brunswick on the 
Androscoggin. Some inhabitants moved into the 
jtovvn before the revolutionary war. The first settler 
|in the town was Major Gerrish, who lived in the sou- 
therly part of the town toward Freeport. Colonel 
iRoyal of Medford was a considerable proprietor in the 
itown, and before the act of incorporation the plantation 
was called Royalston. 

The first person who preached here for any considera- 
ole time was Rev. Mr. Chapman, who had been dismissed 
from a Church in Methuen. He came to Royalston 
about the year 1790, and tarried nearly a year. Some 
;;onversation was had among the people respecting set- 
|:ling him, but no effective steps were taken. 
I In March 1796, Rev. Jacob Herrick, the present min» 
jster, of Durham was ordained there, and a small Church 
j,was gathered by the ordaining Council. The early 
©art of the vear 1815 was a season of considerable at- 



ISO CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

tention to religion in that town, and eventually produce 
ed an accession to the Church of about twenty members. 

OTISFIELD. 

The Congregational Church in Otisfield, was gather- 
ed in the year 1797, and then consisted of eight male 
members. At that time Rev. Thomas Roby, who had 
been once settled at Mansfield in Massachusetts, was in- 
stalled its Pastor. Mr. Roby continued to preach about 
fourteen years. Toward the close of this term very 
few people attended meeting, and the society was in a 
state of declension. In 1811, Mr. Roby was dismissed, 
and for two years the people had but little preaching 
among them. In the year 1815, the Cumberland asso- 
iiatlon agreed that each Minister belonging to it should 
spend a week in missionary labours in some of the desti- 
tute places in that County. Several of them went in 
succession to the town of Otisfield. A considerable 
attention to religion was the immediate fruit of this 
labor of love. The Church and people were aroused, 
and in November 1814, Rev. Josiah Goodhue Merrill 
was ordained over them. Ten persons were very soon 
added to the Church. Three years after some religious 
excitement was again visible, and in tl^e course of two 
years twenty-four more were gathered into the fold. 

Thus did a very little extra labour of the settled Min- 
isters in the vicinity, result in the upbuilding of a de» 
caying Church, and the reanimating of a Society then 
prostrate in the dust. Will not others be stimulated by 
this exa-mple, and generations yet to come rise up and 
C2l}] tbem blessed ? 



RAYMOND. 131 

RAYMOND. 

The church in this town is of recent date. In the 
month of November 1813, a Council was convened 
there consisting of the Rev. Mr. Herrick of Durham, 
Rev. Mr. Bradley of Westbrook, and Rev. Mr. Mike- 
more of Falmouth, who organized a small church in the 
Town. It has never been greatly enlarged, and hss 
not yet enjoyed the ministrations of a stated Pastor. 



13S CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

1767. 

BOOTHBAY. 

This town was originally purchased of the celebrated 
Indian Sagamore, Robin Hud or Hood, by Henry Cur- 
tis, in January 1666. Some of the lands were after- 
wards held by John Ludgate of Boston, and called Win- 
igance. In September 1737, he made a grant to sun- 
dry people then dwelling there of lands in the town, 
ordering it to be laid out in lots of fifty acres near the 
water side. A generous provision for the support of 
the ministry was made by the proprietor at this time. 
Ten acres of land was reserved for a Meeting-house, 
training field, and burying ground, and he ordered 
that the first settled minister should have an equal share 
m the meadows with the first settlers ; That 100 acres 
of land should be laid out as a free gift to the first Min- 
ister, and another 100 acres for the use of the ministry 
forever : That out of the sales of the land, \h. out of 
the second payment, he would allow the inhabitants to 
deduct 100/. toward building a Meeting-house, and 30/. 
per annum toward paying the first settled Minister; 
and in case there should not be twenty new lots taken 
\ip in the town within the said three years, then he en- 
gaged the same 30/. annually for three years more. But 
the settlement increased slowly, and notwithstanding the 
provision made by the proprietor, no Minister wafi set- 
tled for several years. 



liOOTHBAY. 133 

As the settlement became more regular it was called 
1'ownsend, and in 1761-, the town was incorporated 
by the name of Boothbay. About a year before this, 
Rev. John Murray, a native of Ireland, visited Booth- 
bay. His ministrations were peculiarly acceptable to 
the people, and he was invited to tarry wiih them, and 
five men obligated themselves to pay him an annual 
salaiy of 90/. sterling. The instrument by which they 
bound themselves is dated Dec. 22, 176:3. However 
Mr. Murray did not see fit to tarry with them at that 
time, but went to Philadelphia and took the pastoral 
care of a Church in that City ; but in the spring of 
1766, he returned to Boothbay. As yet no Church had 
been organized in the to'ATi, and a general inattention 
'to religion prevailed. Mr. Murray was a very power- 
ijfBl and awakening preacher, and when among the peo- 
Iple uncommonly active and faithful in the discharge of 
'pastoral duties. The inhabitants of Boothbay were 
' probably, as is common in new places, a mixture of 
i men cf all opinions, with some few professors of reli- 
gion of several denominations. Mr. Murray fpent 
! much time in visiting them in order to ascertain their 
i spiritual state. A few extracts from a private Diary of 
his, will exhibit somewhat the state of the people, and his 

own feelings at the time* 

' ♦ Mr. Murray's method in visiting aa noted by himself was— " ist. Sahite 
"the house, 2d. Compare the list* with the family— mark thrm vvho can 
' tead--catec!iijabL's--ccven3nters--Chur.h memijers 3!l.Addres.s-i. chi,.iren 
" to engage in eirly religion.— 2. young ones to reading, .secret prayer, the 
" sabbath, public worship, ordinances, good company, gootJ houses, good 
♦' tongues, love and concoid, fidelity, conversion 4tU. Addre'^s parents— 
" I. about their spiritual state— 2. secret devotion— 3 family worship, gov- 
'^Jtrnment, catechising— 4 sabbatJ., public worship, sacraments ; If Church 
"members sec what profit— if not remove objections— if in error or vice, 
"convince, reclaim J if in divisions heal ; if poor help. Lastly— exharta-jcm 
" to all— pray !" 

M 



iSh C0NGI1EGATIONAL1ST8. 

Toward the close cf 1766, after a day spent in visi- 
t'lnji; he wrote thus — "Alas ! alas ! what shall I say ? 1 
now fear the success of my ministry more than ever. O ! 
my God, enable me to be found faithful. Make thy 
strength perfect in my great weakness. O ! pour out 
thy spirit on these poor families that they may not for- 
get the promises this day made in thy sight, that thy 
worship shall be daily, morning and evening maintained 
in their houses, and that they will never rest until they 
have received thy Chris ci into all their hearts. O '! let 
the convictions we hope begun on two of them be car- 
ried deeper and deeper until ended in conversion. 
Eight unbaptized — all prayer less. Alas ! Alas !'* 

Again he unites — "a dismal prospect truly : thirteen 
unbaptized this day, eight yesterday ; all ignorant of 
God and of themselves, and though they all profess Of 
therwise, I fear all prayerless ; all determined to cher- 
ish their hopes, though I have found but two who can 
rationally profess any experience of the power of reli- 
gion ! and God knows their hearts ; some of the En^ 
glish Church, some of Separates, most of them nothing 
at all. Arise O Lord, or this people perish. O shew 
thy salvation to them, revive thine own work, or we 
are an undone people." 

Under date of Sept. 25, he wrote again — " Now this 
weeks visits are finished ; what have I done ? Have 
I been faithful ? O, if so in any measure, praise to my 
rock, my strength. I trust the great things of religion 
have, in my poor way, been pressed upon them : Some 
appear really resolved for God, all were more or less 
affected. I fear some have professed what they know 



BOOTIIBAY. 135 

not ; all have promised family worship &c. regularly, 
morning and evening : all have promised to be in ear- 
nest about salvation. O Lord, I commit the whole to 
t]iee : breathe on my poor feeble attempts ; grant the 
success ; tis all of thee : O come among this blind, 
hardened, perishing people : Shew them thy salvation : 
Lord arise, arise, and save. Amen. Amen. 

Oct. 1st he says — " My remarks alas ! admit of no 
changes yet. Tis true I have met with three female 
prefessors, one of them I really hope is genuine ; but 
oh, the midnight slumbers of the rest ! darkness ! to- 
tal darkness ! darkness ! darkness that might be felt, 
with no desire of real day ! O earth, earth, earth, hear 
the word of the Lord. Open, great God, the ear and 
heart of this people. O what triumphs would grace 
gain if such sinners were brought home ! every house 
prayerless ; save one ! every heart as adamant. O 
Lord, for a life giving word." 

Under the same date, in visiting the Islands he ^ays— 
** Some comfort to-day, blessed be God ; here are three 
prayerful families, four professors, two are communicants, 
but false hopes have slain their thousands : woeful is 
I the security of fig leaves : sad ignorance in many : four 
unbaptized." 

*♦ Oct. 2d very hard and painful work to bring any 
to conviction of duty, sin, or danger. Prayerless, and 
yet self condemned for it, Christless, confessedly and 
yet easy and secure ! ignorant and pleading that as a 
righteousness ! What stronger proof of the corrup- 
toon of the human heart can be imagined than this. 






436 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Alas, alas ! O let none defer the one thing needful till 
old age In hopes of being more at leisure or belter disn 
posed then. A sad instance of the fatal danger of that, 
has this day been seen : fourscore years, bowed down 
with all the decrepit, and yet determined after all 
warnings to rest satisfied, for no other reason but be- 
cause not afraid of death. Woe is me ! Ah my heart ! 
Great God grant strength, and zeal and faithfulness : 
make these poor souls firm to the resolution this day 
professed, and O revive thy work that this heart-break- 
ing blindness may come to an end." 

Nov. 11. « Hitherto almost all I have met with has 
been for a lamentation : can I now change my note ? 
Alas ! alas ! is all I can say yet : here I have had sad 
view of ignorance, and carelessness in every house, 
youth wrapt in slumber, and old age by their practice 
saying sleep on: Yea by every appearance like the Ethio- 
pians skin they acknowledge every thing, assent to all 
that is said ; yet conscience in a corner inaccessible. 
What shall I say ? inveterate habits of vice, and no re- 
morse. It gives me some comfort that I have found 
one prayerful family, and a humble professor at the 
head of it ; and in another, one struck off from fahe 
hope and under conviction : Lord, fasten it and increase 
the number ! Amen ! Amen y* Such appears to have 
been the state of Mr. Murray's mind at the close of 
the year 1766, and it will not appear strange that God's 
work was soon revived in Boothbay. In the course of 
the winter following the attention to religion was con« 
5>derable, a Church was Qiganized on Presbyterian pria». 



BOOTHBAY. 137 

ciples, and on the 12th of April 1767, the sacrament 
of the Lord's supper was administered there for the 
first time. The Church then consisted of fifty one per- 
sons, of whom thirteen were that day received. About 
one hundred communicants appeared, members of oth- 
er Churches being joined with them, and all sat down 
together to celebrate the dying love of their Saviour. 
The awakening continued, and in October of the same 
year 20 persons more were received to the Church, and 
the sacrament was again administered to about two 
hundred and twenty persons. Many of these were 
probably gathered from the adjoining towns, as there 
was no Church eastward of Boothbay at that time, and 
:he revival there together with the administration of the 
>acrament would naturally draw together the pious pro- 
cessing people from a considerable distance. During 
he winter following the word of the Lord continued to 
lave free course, and was glorified m the conversion of 
!;ouls, so that in April 1768, eleven persons more made 
|)ublic confession of their Saviour before men, and 
livere admitted to communion at his table. In Septem- 
ber following Mr. Murray stiles It " a glorious day" 
jvith them, as eighteen persons were received to the 
jChurch, making sixty-three in all who had been gath- 
'•red in during that season of revival. * 
J' Mr. Murray v/as at this time the only Minister settled 
i^astward cf Woolwich, and his labours were abundant 
!\all the surrounding region. The shower of grace 
/hich had so plentifully watered his particular charge 



* R-ev. Mr. Murray's private paners. 

M2 



13S CONGREGATlOXALlSiS. 

had extended into the adjoining towns, where a thinly 
scattered population had recently planted themselves. 
The following extract from a testimonial left by the ses- 
sion of the Church on their records concerning this sea- 
son of refreshing will best exhibit the character of the 
-.vork, and the extenfion of it in the neighboring towns r 
It is dated in the year 1767. 

*' It had been very observable that throngli the whole 
of the winter a very unusual seriousness and solemnity 
appeared amongst the generality of the people here, ac- 
companied with an insatiable desire after the word, and 
several persons awakened to an anxious concern for 
their souls ; but nothing very remarkable of a public 
nature until the sacrament ; then there were such symp- 
toms of the powerful and special presence of the God of 
grace, as every one might discern, and we can never 
enough be thankful for : it was a solemn, sweet and 
glorious season : many of God's children were filled 
%vith the joys of the Lord, and many poor souls brought 
ro see their need of that Saviour they had shamefully 
neglected, and wickedly crucified. The effects were 
evident the ensuing week and on the next Sabbath : im- 
mediately on the back of which the Pastor at the call 
of several of the neighboring towns, visited Pownalbor- 
ough, Sheepseutt, the head of the Tide, V/alpoIe, Har- 
rington, &c. And during the space of two weeks which 
this tour took up, he preached every day : and the worl 
of God was glorious : every day it appeared that some 
were awakened : many souls old and young were 
pricked to the he^t, many obliged to cry out in their 
distress, some were clearly brought out into tte light of 



BOOTHBAV. 139 

the Gospel. It seemed in all these places that the AL 
mighty hand was displayed with such power as if the 
Lord was resolved to make his word bear down every 
ihing before it. When our pastor returned and told 
the wonderful works of God both from the pulpit and 
at the Society and the Wednesday exercise, the new s 
was very joyful to all who had ever tasted any thing 
of religion, very alarming to the secure, and greatly 
confirmed the convictions of such as had been awaken- 
ed : religion became the conversation of all companies : 
the voice of opposition was struck dead : wpon almost 
every occasion of public worship which was then more 
frequent than usual, the congregation was drowned in 
tears, and some new instances of conviction or comfort 
appeared. The Pastor's lodgings were then daily ciou- 
ded with poor wounded souls that knew not what to do ; 
with whom he often found sweet employment day and 
night, sometimes till three o'clock in the morning, often 
till after midnight, with one company after another. 
The intermission seasons on the Sabbath were then ta- 
ken up entirely in the works of piety ; some would re- 
pair wherever they saw any person that was deemed an 
experienced christian (all of whom we found greatly 
quickened at that time) to lay their cases open to him ; 
some to the Minister, some to secret prayer, and great 
companies would retire to the woods to sing hymns of 
praise ; so that one might almost all the time hear the 
wilderness singing hosannas. The Societies were then 
precious seasons ; it seemed sometimes as if heaven was 
come down to dwell on earth. The Wednesday exerci- 
ses were also greatly blessed, especially on the young 



i4iO CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

people and the chlldrens days, in some of which we could 
see the dear little babes by forty in a company crying 
and weeping on account of their state, whilst their ten- 
der parents with bursting hearts and streaming eyes 
stood by ; and in some instances and particularly once 
at the west end of the town, the whole congregation 
seemed to be taken hold of : after the blessing was pro- 
nounced, their hearts were so wounded that near thirty 
persons men and women cried out ; whilst a goodly 
number of God's children were overcome with joy at the 
sight, and O what a season the remainder of that day 
was among them. Thus it continued through all the 
summer amongst us ; and blessed be God it is not yet 
goae. What fruits may afterwards appear we know 
not, what numbers have been brought home we pretend 
not to guess ; these things we refer to him whose work 
it is. But for the sake of the following age into whose 
hands these records m^y fall, we cannot help leaving 
this our joint public testimony to the glory of God, and 
not of any mortal, but rather to our own abasement, 
and the shame both of Minister and people that we did 
not improve it in another manner, that there has this 
year thus far been an evident, powerful and glorious 
work of God's spirit carried on in this and the neigh- 
bouring towns in the awakening and we believe the con- 
version of many souls, which may the same grace con- 



BOOTH BAY. IM 

ti-nue and increase until the whole earth bow to the ccn» 
c^ueror Christ."* 

Signed, John MuRRAYy Pastor. 

RoBRRT Murray, ") 

iViLLUM Moor, ( Ruling Elders. 

JoHff Beath, C 

Nehemiah Harringden, ^ 

Samusl .4dams, 1 

Israel Datis, > Deacons. 

Epuraim AI'Farland, j 

The ministry of Mr. Murray at Boothbay continued 
for a little more than thirteen years. His talents were 
of a superior cast, and could not fail to attract the no- 
tice of polished Societies where he had opportunity to 
i preach. In the year 1775, he was solicited to take the 
pastoral charge of one of the societies in Bostop. Against 
I this the people remonstrated, and in town meeting chose 
' John Beath and Paul Reed a committee to meet a Pres- 
j bytery at Brunswick respecting this matter Mr. Mur- 
i ray did not remove at this time, but about four years 
after, he removed to Newbury Port and took the pasto- 
ral care of tlie Presbyterian church there, then vacant 
by the death of Rev. Jonathan Parsons. 
The removal of Mr. Murray from Boothbay was a 
i grievous thing to many of the people, and for three or 
j four years they were destitute of stated preaching. In 
! March 1783, the town voted an appropriation of 100/ 
I fot" the support of a minister, and appointed the Session 
of the Church as a committee to employ a candidate — " 
It would be wrong to withhold from the peo|)le at ]5ooth^ 



% B^otbbay Cburch P.eccj'4.s^. 



14S CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

bay, tlie praise which is justly due to them for thi; 
measure. It has been the practice of some parishes 
when deprived of a Minister by death or otherwise, tc 
step forward and take the lead in thebufinefs of settling 
another to the almost exclusion of the Church. Bui 
here was a noble example of a Parish, or rather a town 
referring the choice of a Minister to the Church to whom 
he would sustain the endearing relation of Pastor. 

It does not appear that any person was soon employ- 
ed. In the winter of 1 785, a Mr. Merrill was preach- 
ing at Boothbay, but the Committee were directed to 
employ another person. In March of the year follow, 
ing a Mr. Williams was engaged for six months, and 
for two or three years after, the people had occafional 
preaching, but employed no candidate for settlement. 
In the summer of 1789, Mr. Jonathan Gould was em- 
ployed a short time, and in September of that year the 
committee were directed by the town either to engagej 
Mr. Gould for a longer term, or to send for Mr. John- 
json who afterwards settled at Freeport. Mr. Gould wasi 
employed and in Nov. following was hired for a year. In, 
August 1790, a meeting was holden to see if the tovvnl 
could agree to give Mr. Gould a call. But althonghi 
he had been among them more than a year, the people 
were doubtful how to proceed. Unwilling to come to 
a decision on this point the town appointed a Commit- 
tee to confer with Mr. Gould respecting his peculiar 
sentiments, and to engage him for a farther time. In 
October following the town again assembled on the 



.. BOOTHBAY. 143 

lame business, but their meeting was dissolved -without 
oming to any conclusion. Mr. Gould continued to 
reach at Boothbay during the winter, and at the anun- 
1 town Meeting in March 1791, the question was 
gain proposed whether the town would give him a call, 
,'hich was refused ; but a testimonial of his fair moral 
haracter was immediately voted.* He was soon after 
sttled at Standish. 

The people being now destitute again, empowered 
Lev. Mr. McLean of Bristol who was about making a 
oyage to Scotland, to procure them a Minister from 
liat country ; but no success appears to have attended 
his measure, and for five years they had no steady 
reaching. In March 1796, a call was voted by the 
iwn to Mr. Pelatiah Chapin. He continued with them 
irough the summer succeeding, and November the 
ivitation was renewed, and the terms stated, but he 
eclined. 

During the summer of 1797, Rev. John Sawyer, who 
lad recently been dismissed from Oxford in the State 
■f New-Hampshire, was employed as a candidate for 
fettlement at Boothbay, and in November of that year 
pceived an invitation to settle there. The Church was 
till Presbyterian, but was in a declining state. No re- 
|ival of religion had marked its history since the mln- 
|.try of Mr. Murray, thirty years before, and the Lord's 
lipper had not been administered there for twenty years. 
f; may well be supposed therefore that the Church was 
li a scattered state. There was no Presbytery in Maine 
I 



♦Boothbay Town Records. 



IM CONGREGATION ALISTS^ 

with which they could unite, and it was proposed thai 
they should relinquish Presbyterianism, and become a 
Congregational Church. Accordingly in September 
1798, William McCobb and seven others, members of 
the ancient Presbyterian Church, addressed the Lincoln 
Association, representing their disordered state, and re* 
questing their aid in reorganizing them as a Congrega- 
tional Church. Agreeably to this request, the Associas- 
tion assembled at Boothbay, and having examined a 
number of the membeis of the Presbyterian Churchy 
embodied them as a Congregational Church.* This 
took place September 20, 1798, and in the following 
month Rev. Mr. Sawyer was installed. In July 1805, 
Mr. Sawyer requested a dismission. A Council being 
convened advised to the measure, but the final dissolu- 
tion of the connexion did not take place until the close 
of the year 1808. In April following a call was pre* 
sented to Rev. Jabez Pond Fisher who had once been 
settled at Nottingham- West in New-Hampshire, which 

he accepted, and was installed in June of that year 

Mr. Fisher continued in the ministry at Boothbay a lit* 
tie more than seven years. In October 1816, he re- 
quested a dismission, which was granted upon the ad- 
vice of Council in the following month. 

A call was soon given to Mr. Jonathan Adams, since 
settled at Woolwich, to settle at Boothbay which he de- 
clined. Early in the year 1818, Mr. Isaac Weston waS 
sent to Boothbay as a Missionary. «< His going thithef 
was followed by a considerably extensiv revival of re* 



» Boothhay Church Record?. 



BOOTHBAY. 145 

ligion in the place, from sixty to seventy being made 
hopeful converts, wh'ch prepared the way for an Invita- 
tion for him to settle in the Gospel rrtlnistry there.* — 
Rev. Mr. Weston was ordained at Boothbay in June of 
that year and remains the Minister of that people. 



* R.eport of ihe Trustees of the Maine Missionary Society for the year 
i8i8. 



146 CONGREGATIONALISTS, 

CHAPTEU XV. 

1767. 

It will best comport with our own design next to 
consider the Ecclesiastical affairs of several towns ir. 
Lincoln County which are not particularly connected 
with any others. They are Bristol, ancient Pownalbor- 
^ugh, Edgecomb and Litchfield. 

BRISTOL. 

The land now the town of Bristol, was granted to El- 
bridge and Aldsworch by the council of Plymouth in 
1639. Some few settlements had been made within 
the limits of the town nearly ten years before.* A 
number of people came from New-York and settled on 
the river Pemaquid about the year 1 665, and remained 
about fifteen years. During this time a fort was built 
there, and if we may credit Governor Sullivan's account, 
a town of some note also. "There is yet," says he, 
" under the rubbish, near the remains of the fort, a 
paved street, and the cellarsofnearly thirty and perhaps 
forty houses." Another fort was built by Sir William 
Phips in 1692, and taken by the French and Indians 
from Mount Desert in about four years after.f During 
the Indian wars at this time the white settlements in 
Maine were nearly all broken up, and no settlement 
was again made at Pemaquid until after the year 1717. 
The town was incorporated by the name of Bristol in 
1765. 



* Sullivan pape ijp. 
tibid. page 164. 



BRISTOL. 14.7 

We have no account of any Minister in Bristol, or 
any religious order being observed there prior to the in- 
corporation of the town. During the great revival of 
religion at Boothbay in 1767, Mr. Murray often visited 
Bristol, and the people there became much Interested In 
religious things.* A little previous to this, the town 
voted to build three Meeting-houses, one near Pemaquid 
fort, called "Harrington Parish" one in the northwest- 
erly part of the town on Damarlscotta river, called 
," Walpole Parish" and one in the easterly part of the 
town called •* Broad Cove." In the latter part of the;' 
year 1766, one Meeting-house was built, and the Selects 
men were empowered to procure a Minister, and in 
June following the town appointed a committee, " to 
take measures to have a Church organized in the town 
on the Westminster confession and Presbyterian rules." 
During the year a Church was organized by Mr. Mur- 
ray of Boothbay, but no Minister was as yet found for 
the people. In May 1770, the town, being still desti- 
fute of a Minister, voted to send for Rev. Mr. Murray 
to preach with them one month, and baptize their chil- 
dren, and to send to Dr. Wilherspoon of New- Jersey for 
a suitable candidate to settle with them. The present 
generation would probably look on with astonishment 
to see the inhabitants of a town assembled In town- 
meeting, voting to have a Church organized among 
them, and sending for a Minister to come and baptize 
their children j nor can we at this day ascertain the mo- 

I ♦Sec the testimony of the Session of the Church at Boothbay 



448 CONGREGATIONALISTa. 

lives by which the people of Bristol were actuated m 
these very singular proceedings.* 

The application of the people to Dr. Witherspoon, 
was successful, and Mr. Alexander McLean a native of 

Scotland, came on from New Jersey to supply them 

After a season of trial he received a call in the year 
1772, and was ordained in the following year. Mr. 
McLean was a Physician both of soul and body, a la- 
borious man in both professions, a very serious preach- 
er, and an instrument of much good in the place. But 
the town was badly situated for performing parochial 
duties, and Mr. McLean's health soon began to fail. — • 
Some help was occasionally provided for him by the 
jpeople, and it was thought that it might soon be neces- 
sary to dismiss him or settle a Colleague. 

Mr. McLean had requested a dismission on account of 
his health, but the people unwilling to part with him 
voted to procure him an assistant. This was in the 
year 1788. But nothing definite was accomplished, 
and in the autumn of 1791, he went to Scotland, anct 
remained there about a year. After his return the 
town voted to appropriate 25/ to procure a Preacher 
for the assistance of Mr. McLean ; but no person was 
provided, and the next year he again requested a dis- 
mission, which in September 1795, was granted by the 
town In a hasty manner without convoking a councIU 
Rev. Mr. McLean was still highly esteemed in the 
town, and so much confidence did the people place in 
him, that at the same meeting that his dismission was 



* Similar iirocf.edlngs were had in the towns of Noiridgewock and New-Cas-- 
pc. See sketches of tl\.ose towns» 



• ir 



BRISTOL. 14j9 

voted, he was put on to a committee to obtain a Minis- 
ter. Within a few months after this Mr. William Rid- 
del came as a candidate to Bristol. Mr. McLean bein«- 
much pleased with his preaching made a communica- 
tion to the town in June 1796, and in a very ingenuous 
manner proposed to them to recall his request for dis- 
mission, and still remain their minister, on condition 
that they would settle Mr. Riddel as a Colleague ; of- 
fering to preach in the easterly part of the town where 
he resided without receiving any compensation. This 
proposal was cheerfully accepted by the town, and Mr. 
Riddel was ordained in August of that year. 

Until this time the Church had been Presbyteiian. — 
Rev. Mr. McLean was educated in that way, and had 
belonged to the " Salem Presbytery." For some rea- 
sons he had taken his dismission from that body about 
twelve years before,* and previous to the ordination of 
Mr. Riddel the Church, with Mr. McLean as Modera- 
:or, voted unanimously to change their form to a Con- 
gregational Church.f After the ordination of his col^ 
eague Mr. McLean preached occasionally in Bristol as 
lie had engaged to do, and laboured considerably as a 
jVIissionary in the waste places around him. He lived 
libout ten years after this event, and died while on a vis- 
t at New Castle, but was brought to Bristol and buri- 
I'd. Rev Mr. Riddel remained Pastor of the Church at 
Bristol only eight years. In the summer of 1804-, he 
ms dismissed by mutual consent. After an interval of 



* See Presbyterial Records Of a meeting held at Grotoii in June 1^84^ 
t Bristol Chh. Records. 

N 2 



i^O CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Lhree years, Rev. Jonathan Belden, who had been dk 
missed from Winthrop, was installed Pastor of th' 
Church. This took place Aug. 12, 1807. Mr. Belden 
remained in connexion with this Church and people 
ten years, when the parish being dim'nished, he was dis- 
missed by m.utual consent, and they have since been des- 
titute. 

WISCASSET. 

The ancient town of Pownalborough was incorpo^. 
rated in the year 1710. It then included what is now 
Wiscasset, Alna and Dresden. A settlement was at- 
tempted at Wiscasset pointf as early as 1661, but thej 
people were driven off by the Indhms. Settlements 
were again commenced in 1730, and rendered perma- 

nent.J 

In the year 1773, a Congregational Church was or- 
ganized in Pownalborough, and Rev. Thomas Moore 
was ordained. Mr. Moore remained the Minister of the 
town eighteen years and was then dismissed. In two- 
years after the dismission of Mr. Moore, Rev. Alden 
Bradford was ordained in his stead. Mr. Bradford's 
Tnlnistry continued about seven years, when at his own 
special request, on account of 111 health, he was dismiss- p 
ed. He afterwards regained his healtli, and is now Sec«| 
retary of >:he State of Massachusetts. In September 
1802, Rev. Hezeklah Packard, who was first settled at' 
Chelmsford, was installed at Wiscasset, and is the pre- 
sent Minister. 



-}^Pron>)unced hy the Indians TVhscasset^ and h said to mean the conflucflc.ftj 
ef three waters or rivcrj.— Hst. Coll. 
■f Massaclnisetta Hist. Coll. Vol 7, page 163, 



WISCASSET. 191 

A little previous to the settlement of Mr. Moore at 
I Wiscasset point, an Episcopal establishment had been 
made in the northwesterly part of Pownalborough, 
now the town of Dresden, and Rev. Mr. Bailey employ- 
ed to officiate.f About tlie time of the ordination of Mr. 
Bradford in 1793, the parish in this section of the town 
was incorporated. In 1801, a Congregational Church 
was organized there, and Rev. Freeman Parker its pre- 
sent Pastor, was ordained. 

A third parish had also been established in the north 
part of Pownalborough. At the time Dresden was 
incorporated this also was established as a town by the 
name of New-Milford. It is now called Alna. In the 
year 1796, a Church was gathered here and Rev. Jona^ 
than Ward ordained. Mr. Ward continued to preach 
at Alna a little more than twenty years. In 1817, he 
was dismissed at his own request, and removed to Ply- 
mouth in New-Hampshire. After being destitute about 
one year the Church and people united in the choice of 
Mr. Samuel Johnson, and he was ordained over them 
Novembei 25, 1818. He i^ their present Minister. 

EDGECOMB. 

This town lies between Boothbay and New-Castle, and 
has its name probably from Sii Richard Edgecomb of 
Great Britain to whom Sir Ferdinando Gorges had 
made a grant of lands in Maine ; or perhaps from John 
Edgecomb, a descendant of his who once lived in Maine, 
and endeavored to obtain the land. The tov/n extends 



fSee Chap. 13, 



153 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

across the tract of land lying between Damariscotta 
and Sheepcutt Rivers. A few early settlements were 
made In It. In 1774, the town was incorporated, yet 
little was done for the support of the gospel at that 
time. The reason probably was that the oldest part of 
the town was separated from WIscasset, only by Sheep* 
scut river, which the people could cross at any time, 
and the other parts of the town lay contiguous either 
to New-Castle or Boothbay ; and as these three towns 
were supplied with ministers, the people at Edgecomb 
felt less need ©f the stated ministry of the word among 
themselves. They however, had some preaching 
among them. A Mr. Pickles, and some other Minis- 
ters resided occasionally with them. In the year 1782, 
Rev. Mr. Whiting was dismissed from New Castle, as 
has already deen stated, and was not recommended by 
the Council. The people at Edgecomb were neverthe- 
less inclined to hear him, and in June 1 783, a CouncIL ^ 
was convened at Edgecomb who restored Mr. Whiting 
to good standing, and organized a small Church In that - 
town. It seems altogether probable that there was an 
intention of having Mr. Whiting installed at Edgecomb. 
But it never took place, and no candidate was Invited to 
settle here for eighteen years after the gathering of the 
Church. The first settled Mlnlstei of the town was 
Rev. Benjamin Chatman. He was ordained March 
^ih 1801, and lived but little more than three years. — 
He died with a consumption July 13, 1804. After be- 
ing destitute three years Rev. Samuel Sewall was or- 
dained Pastor of the Church, September 30, 1807. — 
Mr. Sewall continued his ministrations at Edgecomb 



LITCHFIELD. 153 

eleven years. The Society then became weakened, 
the civil contract between him and the people was dis- 
solved, and he removed to Phipsburg, but still retains 
his pastoral relation to the Church at Edgecomb. 

LITCHFIELD. 

This town lies in the westerly part of Lincoln County 
adjoining Monmouth in Kennebeck County, and was 
first settled in 1778. A Congregational Church con- 
sisting of four males and eleven females was organized 
there on June 6, 181 1. It now consists of twenty-fivo 
members, and about thirty families are connected with 
the Society. 

" Some facts respecting the history of the Church in 
Litchfield are worthy of preservation. Two brothers 
by the name of Smkh, about 40 years ago, from Massa- 
chusetts, commenced the settlement of the town. Hav- 
ing been accustomed from early life, to attend the pub- 
lic worship of God, they were unwilling to live even in 
the wilderness without observing the Sabbath as they 
hap been taught to do, and especially were they unwil- 
ling their children should grow up in ignorance of the 

'duty and privilege of public worship. Hence soon af- 
ter their settlement, they set up a meeting on the Sab- 
bath for prayer, the reading of the Scriptures, and such 
suitable books as they had. This meeting has been 
continued to the present time ; and not a Sabbath has 

^ occurred when one of these pious brothers was not able 
to attend this little flock, and to take the lead in these 
holy services. As the fruit, no doubt, of these pious 
labcnrs, in 1811 a revival of religion was experienced, 



154j CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

and twenty five sonls became hopefully the subjects 
of grace ; about one half of whom were the children of 
these faithful men. One of these excellent men is dead," 
and the other has reached nearly fourscour years. The ! 
Church and society are anxious to have a Pastor, and 
their venerable spiritual guide, like aged Simeon, is 
waiting for the consolation that he may depart in 
peace."* 



♦ Repsrt of the Mas--acliusetts Mlssinnafy Society for iSit^ ae published i* 
the Boston Recorder for Jurte Jo- JSiii 



«OUNTY OP HANCOCK. 155 

CHAPTER XVI. 

1773. 

Oor attention will now be directed eastward to the 
Churches gathered in the County of Hancock. In the 
whole. County we find fourteen Congregational Church- 
es, ten on the eastern and four on the western side of 
Penobscot river. We shall consider first those in the 
eastern division of the County as being the most an- 
cient. This territory was early visited by the Europe- 
ans. " The people of the Colony of New Plymouth 
erected a trading house within the towa of Penobscot 
'(atCastine probably) in the year 1626."* After that 
!;he French had possession. In 1654, Oliver Cromwell 
sent Major Sedgewick with some forces who took the 
liort at Castine, and subjugated the country to the east- 
ward of that place. The town of Sedgewick most pio- 
bably has its name from this man. At the treaty of 
Breda, in 1667, this part of the country was ceeded to 
(he French by Charles the 2d. Soon after this a French 
;Bar«n called Castine, or Casteen as the name is some- 
jimes spelt, took up his residence at Penobscot.f Some 
)eople supposed him to be a Jesuit, and others consider- 
ed his personal character as equivocal. All were how- 
j:ver convinced, of his entire enmity to the people of 
!>Iew England. Voltaire and the Abbe Raynal, con* 
liider his character as a very extraordinary one. They 

I r 

' » Sullivan page 158. 

j -f " Barron Castine settled on the eastern side of the Penobscot near its 

Uouth if. \i6ii apd died there ia i6p7.— Hist. Coll, vol. 9, page si8. 



156 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

say that he was Colonel of the Regiment of Carignon ; 
a man of good connexions, and of good abilities."* — 
After Castine settled at Penobscot he cultivated thej 
friendship of the Savages, and married the daughter of| 
an Indian Chief. But nothing like a civilized settle- 
ment was made on the Penobscot at this time. Castine 
was himself but a better sort of a Savage and did no- 
thing toward civilizing the tribe with which he was! 
connected ; and there were no considerable white settle- 
ments made within this territory prior to the year 1770. 
About this time a few houses were scattered along on 
the western side of Bigwaduce river, within the town 
of Penobscot. In May 1774, there were seven houses 
only on the neck where the village of Castine is now 
built, and only four of them framed buildings, the oth- 
ers being of logs. 

The Church at Bluehill is the most ancient of any ia 

this region. The settlement in this town was commenc- 
ed in the year 1763. Mr. Joseph Wood moved into the 
town in April ®f that year, and was followed in Novem- 
ber by Mr. John Roundy. From that time the settle- 
ment advanced with a tolerable degree of rapidity. — 
The plantation was first called East Andover, and then 
Newport, but was finally incorporated by the name of 
Blue hill in October 1788. So earnest were the people 
to obtain the stated Ministry of the word that in only 
five years after the first family mov x: into the town the 
inhabitants by vote appropriated a sum of money to 
support a Minister. For about twenty five years from 
this time, and until the permanent settlement of the 

♦$al4ivan page 158. 



tlOUNTY OF HANCOCK. 157 

ministry among them, the people at Blue hill were sup- 
plied with preaching during a part of several years by 
different persons, some who came as candidates for set- 
tlement, some who were hired by the people for short 
terms of time, and some who were Missionaries. Rev. 
Messrs. Little, Lancaster, Oliver Noble, Seth Noble, 
Currier, Sawyer, Read, Miller, Lyon, McClintock, 
Cleaveland, and Huse, were the principal of them. — 
Rev. Mr. Little of Kennebunk, was at Bluehill as early 
as the year 1772, and in October of that year he gath- 
ered a Church there consisting of eight males, and six- 
females. It was a little vine planted in the midst of a 
howling wilderness, but through the merciful provi- 
dence of God it was not suffered to be destroyed. In 
; the summer of 1793, Mr. Jonathan Fisher was employ- 
, ed by the people to preach at Bluehill. On the ap- 
. proach of winter he returned to the westward, and in 
j the summer succeeding came again to Bluehill. In 
the year 1795, he was again there, and in October of 
I this year received a call to settle, and was ordained Ju- 
ily 13, 1796. The exercises of the ordination were per- 
; formed at the head of the Bay in a field, near where the 
road now passes the grist-mill.f 

About three years after the ordination of Rev. Mr. 
Fisher, the place was visited with a gracious outpouring 
of the Holy Spirit, and fifty-seven persons were gather- 
led into the Church in one year. Considering the state 
[of the settlement at that time this must have been a 
Ivery considerable revival of religion. In the year 1816, 

+ Church Records, 



15B GONGIIEGATIOXALISTS. 

many were awakened, and forty persons were added t6 
the Church. Mr. Fisher is still their Minister. 

Not long after the organization of the Church at 
Bluehill a Church was gathered on Deer Isle, which is 
the outermost land on the eastern shore of Penobscot 
Bay. A small settlement was made here early, and 
notwithstanding their insulated situation the people en- 
joyed the regular ordinances of the Gospel at a period 
considerably earlier than any other town eastward of 
the Penobscot. In the year 1785, Rev. Peter Powers, 
who had been dismissed from Haverhill in New-Hamp- 
shire the year before, came to Deer Isle, and took the 
pastoral charge of the Church in that place. In this 
station he continued to labour with zeal, activity and 
success for fourteen years, when he was removed from 
them by death. In the year 1798, a revival of religion 
commenced at Deer Ifle and continued into the next 
year. A letter written by Mr. Powers dated March 20, 
1799, is presented in Backus' History of the Baptists, in 
which he states that there were then forty " subjects of 
the work," and many more " under pressing convic- 
tions." Mr. Powers was at that time confined to his 
house, and Mr. Ebenezer Eaton, a licentaie Preacher of 
Mount Desert, was labouring among his people. He 
was near the close of life, and was no longer able to go 
in and out before the people of his charge. He died in 
the early part of the same year. Mr. Powers was a 
faithful and discriminating preacher, and was possessed 
of superior talents. A publication of his entitled "iv,;j 
humble enquiry into the nature of covenanting with 
God," was issued about three years before his death. It 
exhibits much strength of mind, and contains very con* 

m 



COUNTY OF HANCOCK i5d 

elusive reasoning against the practice of what has been 
termed the " Half way Covenant." 

For ten years after the death of Mr. Powers the 
Church was destitute of a stated Pastor. Daring this 
term the people were supplied with Preachers a part of 
the time. In 1802, they invited Mr. Phinehas Randal 
to settle with them. Mr. Randal had been preaching 
at Norridgewock, and the parts adjacent, and had been 
the favored instrument of a considerable revival of re- 
ligion there. He however, declined the invitation of 
the people at Deer Isle, and they were left still destitute* 

In 1809, the people succeeded in a resettlement of the 
Gospel ministry among them. Rev. Joseph Brown, 
who was first settled in England, and after that at Ex» 
eter in New-Hampshire, having been dismissed from 
that place, was Installed at Deer Isle. Mr. Brown con- 
tinued in the ministry at this place ten years. Toward 
the close of that peiiod, supposing that he was no long- 
er useful at Deer Isle, he sGlicited of the people a dismis- 
sron, to which they consented, but it was never consum- 
mated by any ecclesiastical act, and Mr. Brown remain- 
ed Pastor of the Church until his death which took 
place suddeilly In September 181 9. The Church is now 
vacant. Rev. Abijah Wines, formerly of Newport in 
New-Hampshire has been labouring among the people 
for a considerable time, and much attentfon to religion 
has appeared. 

The third Church organized In the eastern part of 
the County of Hancock, was at Sedgewlck. The set- 
tlements were made at this place about the same time 



160 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

with those at Bluehill. It was called by the Indians 
Naskeeg and was incorporated by its present name in 
January 1789. In a short time, the people anxious to 
enjoy the stated ordlnancesof religion took measures for 
the settlement of a Minister. In September 1793, Rev.. 
Daniel Merrill was ordained Pastor of the Church. — 
The Churches assisting on this occasion were those at 
Deer Isle, Byefield, and the North Church in Newbury- 
port. Dr. Spring preached on the occasion, Mr. Pow- 
ers gave the charge, and Dr. Parish presented the right 
hand. In about five years after the ordination of Mr, 
Merrill divine infiuences were copioufly afforded at 
Sedgewick, and a very remarkable revival of religion 
took place. Indeed a most refreshing shower spread 
over the whole vicinity. In the year 1804-, Mr. Merrill 
professed a change in his sentiments in regard to Bap- 
tism. The greater part of the Church (embraced his 
new opinions, and on the 15th of May IS6.% Mr. Mer- 
rill and about eighty others were immersed, a Baptist 
Church was constituted, and Mr- Merrill v/as re-ordain- 
cd as its Pastor. The Congregational Church was not 
however wholly broken up. A few were still attached 

^ to the principles of psedobaptism, and some additions 
have since been made to them. About thirty members 
are now found in the Church,* but the society has not 

^ yet acquired sufficient strength to settle another minister. 

The next religious establishment in this region was in 

ihe town of Penobscot. We have already noticed the 

first settlement at this place. The Indians called the 



* Report of the Trusteas of the Maine Missionary Pocietj for iS.:3". 



COUNTY OF HANCOCK. 161 

place Majorbigwaduce, and it is still by some called 
by the corrupted^ name, " Bagaduce." In February 
1787, the town was incorporated by the name of Penob- 
scot, and then comprehended Castine also. The same 
year the town made provision to employ a Preacher, 
and soon took measm-es to build a Meeting-house. But 
concerning the location of this there was no small dissen- 
tion.* The settlement on the point was then increasing, 
but the more considerable and older settlements were 
several miles up Bigwaduce river, it was therefore evi- 
dent that the people would not all be well accommodat- 
ed in any one place of worship. Accordingly In June 
17 )3, a parish w^as established in the old part of the 
town, and the settlement of a minister hastened. Mr. 
Jonathan Powers, the son of Rev. Mi. Powers of Deer- 
Isle, was employed as a Preacher, and in March 1795^ 
received from the parish an invitation to settle. But as 
yet there was no Church in the town, and on June 17th 
a Council was convened "at the old Meeting-house, 
near Col. William Webbers" where after a sermon by 
Rev. Mr. Powers of Deer Isle, fifteen persons, including 
tihe pastor elect, were formed into a regular Church.f 
On the 26th of August following a Council was again 
convened, and Rev. Mr. Powers was ordained. Mr. 
Powers remained happily and usefully employed at Pe- 
nobscot until the autmun of the year 1807, when he 
was removed by death. In a httle more than a year 
from this, the Maine Missionary Society sent Mr. Philip 
Spaulding to reside awhile at Penobscot. His labours^ 



♦ See Penobscot Tovrn Records. 
^CbuTch Records 



02 



iQ2 CONGREGATIOXALISTS. 

proving acceptable to the people, the parish addres- 
sed a letter to the Trustees of the Society who relin- 
quished their claims upon him, and In November 1809, 
he was ordained over the Church and people In that 
place. Mr. Spaulding continued at Penobscot a little 
more than three years, when he thought it expedient to 
ask a dismission, to which the people consented, with 
advice of council in August 1813. He has since been 
settled at Jamaica in Vermont. The Church at Penob- 
scot has since been destitute of a stated Pastor. The 
new town of Brooksville has recently been taken from 
that of Penobscot, and a considerable proportion of the 
ehurch members belong to that town. 

The second parish in Penobscot found it expedient 
soon to become a separate town, and in the year 1796, 
it was incorporated by the name of Castine. In about 
a year after this Mr. William Mason was employed to 
preach at Castine, and in October 1 793, a Chuxch was 
organized, and Rev. Mr. Mason was ordained. He is 
the present Minister of that people. 

Several years after this, a number of people living at 
Castine had become members of the Congregational 
Church in Bluehill. Thinking they might enjoy spe- 
cial ordinances among themselves with greater conve- 
nience, they were at length constituted a second Con- 
gregational Church in Castine. This took place in 
August 1820. 

Next in date to the Church at Penobscot we find that 
at Mount Desert. This is a large mountainous Island 



COUNTY OF HANCOCK. 103 

lying between Frenchman's Bay* on the east, and UnIoy> 
river on the west, and now comprehending the towns 
of Mount Desert and Eden. 

The French erected a Fort here about the year 
1603, and called the place Mount Mansell, and the fort 
they called Sauveur. They were however driven away 
by Sir Samuel Argal in 1618. f During this time two 
Jesuits resided at Mount Desert, and after the French 
were driven oiF a few families remained, and in 1693, 
one Thurry, a French Missionary, resided there for a 
time. But no very considerable settlement was made at 
Mount Desert until after the revolutionary war. Mis- 
sionaries occasionally visited the place, and after the set- 
tlement of Mr. Powers at Deer Isle the people some- 
times enjoyed the benefit of his labours. Previous to 
the year 1 798, a small Church had been gathered here, 



♦ When De Mottc first came to America fabout 1603) there came one 
Nicholas D'Aubri, a French Ecclesiastic of very good family connexions.— 
Nicholas went on shore upon the west side of the Bay of Fundy, which at 
that time had no name appropriated to it, but was considered as belonging 
to the waters of Acadie. Curiosity, which had brought him from Europe led 
him into the woods ; and tlie boat from which he had landed left him to his 
fate. His account of his sufferings was no doubt very pitiful ; for he remain* 
ed three weeks in the wilderness, wandering from place to place under the 
most terrible apprehensions, until the boat of the same vessel, by accident 
found him on the yhore, and restored him to the ship's company. From 
this accident the waters of the whole bay of Fundy were called "French- 
man's Bay." The inner part of the waters called Frenchman's Bay finally 
gained the appellation of the Bay of Fundy, and the ancient appellation be- 
time appropriated to the western side of the waters, and near to Mount 
Desert,'* Abbe Raynal, and Carthier's Voyages, cited by SuUir^ page $^, 

t Purchase and Smith cite<J by Sullivan page 15?. 



164 CO>^GREGATI©NALISTS. 

and Mr. Ebenezer Eaton, a member of that Churck 
was licensed to pieach, a»d thus the enjoyment of con- 
stant preaching was secured to the people. In June of 
the year 1798, a very extensive revival of religion com- 
menced there, and made progress to a considerable de- 
gree in the subsequent year. The following extract 
from a letter written by Mr. Powers of Deer Isle, dated 
March 20, 1799, will best exhibit the state of things at 
that time. " In the beginning of June last I was called 
« to Mount Desert to administer sacraments to a Church 
" who have not a stated Pastor, and tarried with them 
" about nine days ; when, in preaching my second ser- 
" mon, the glory of the Lord came down in a wonderful 
" manner. One convicted and hopefully converted un- 
♦* der the sermon was added to the Church about two 
•'days after, and three others who had befoie obtained 
" a hope. Three months after this I went again to ad- 
♦« minister the Lord's supper, at which time I admitted 
•* twenty-eight who had been hopefully brought home iet 
"the interval. The work of conviction was then going 
♦« on powerfully in the town, and spreading into those 
•* adjoining on the same Island. Our association had 
•* licensed dear Mr. Ebenezer Eaton to preach, who im- 
« proved his talent, labouring night and day among 
« them, whom the Lord remarkably owned." * 

The Church at Mount Desert has ever since continued 
in a flourishing state. In 1816 an extensive revival of 
religion again marked its history, and between sixty aad 



* Backos'hietory cf the Baptists Vol. i. page J37^ 



COUNTY OF HANCOCK. 165 

seventy souls obtained a hope in the Lord. * No person 
has ever yet been ordained to the pastoral care of this 
Church. Mr. Eaton, who is mentioned by Mr. Powers 
still lives at Mount Desert, and preaches constantly 
there. He has often been solicited to take the pastoral 
charge of the Church, but declines receiving ordina- 
tion. 

SULLIVAN. 

On September 26, 1801, Rev. Abijah Wines and Rev. 
Jotham Se-wall organized a small Church in the town 
of Sullivan, a town lying at the head of Frenchman's 
Bay. It is still small and destitute of a stated Pastor. 

BUCKSPORT. 

A few settlements weie made in the upper part of 
this town either during the revolutionary war or soon 
after the peace. But the settlement where the chief 
village is now built is of recent origin. At the open- 
ing of the year 1803 there were but seventeen houses at 
that spot. At that time a Congregational Church was 
gathered there, and their present Minister, Rev. Mighill 
Blood, was ordained. 

ELLSWORTH. 

A settlement was made at this place about the year 
1763. Union river f intersecting the town made it 



* See Mr. Eaton's journal m tlie Report of the Trustees «f the Maine Mis- 
sionary Society for 1817. 

t The name of this rivei is iaid to have originated in the following cir- 

cumsunce : In 1162, Livermorc Esq- and certain others with Iiim 

came there to lay out twelve townships of land, six to be west, and six to 
be cast of Mount De.s«Tt. Finding the townships to meet on this river which 
extended up into the country, it was proposed to call it " Union river,'* 
which after the ceremony of breaking a botlle of Rum was agreed to. £f« 
B'.uehill Church Rtcerdif. 



166 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

convenient as a place of business. In the autumn of 
the year 1784, Rev. John Uiquhart * a Presbyterian 
Clergyman, visited this place, and preached for a term 
of time. This town was some times called New-Bod- 
wine, but was not then incorporated, and the inhabitants 
principally occupied the township No 6, and No. 1. In 
the summer of 1 785, Mr. Urquhart was preaching at 
Topsham, and Benjamin Joy, and John Smith, as a com- 
mittee for the people at Union river, empowered Capt. 
Matthew Patten to proceed to Topsham and present a 
call to Mr. Urquhart to become their Minister, and to 
request the '* Salem Presbytery** about to meet there to 
install him. This was accordingly done on the 7th of 
September in that year.f Mr- Urquhart now proceed- 
ed to Union river, and commenced his stated labours ;; 
but difficulties soon appeared. The' character of Mr.. 
Urquhart was suspicious ; the people became dissatisfied 
with him, and he was dismissed from them in the early 
part of the year 179(X It does not appear probable,, 
considering all circumstances, that any Church was 
regularly organized at Union river during Mr, Urqu. 
hart's ministry, no record of such- a transaction being 

found. 

In September 1812, a Congregational Church was, 

gathered in Ellsworth, and the present Minister Rev» 

Peter Nourse was ordained. 



* This name is pronounced Urcutt, and sometimes OrcutSi 
■* See^skttch of the Pieebylcrianr. 



BOUNTY OF HANCOCK. i&Y 

BELFAST. 

This town lies at the head of Penobscot Bay, and Is 
divided almost centrally by Belfast River, which is 
navigable nearly three nalles from the Bay.* The settle- 
ment began before the revolutionary war, which was 
distressingly felt by the people. Most of the inhabi- 
tants were constrained to leave their farms and remove 
westward, and did not return again until after the peace. 
About ninety families had settled in Belfast at the com- 
mencement of the year 1796. These were all settled 
near the sea shore. At that time there were only twelve 
framed houses in the town, and but one two stories in 
height. In March of this year Mr. Ebenezer Price was 
invited to preach at Belfast as a candidate for settlement. 
Toward autumn he received a regular call, and on the 
28th of December, a council being assembled a small 
church was organized, and the day following Mr. Price 
was ordained. The persons composing the Church had 
been professors of religion In Piesbyterian Churches, 
But being so far removed from any Presbytery they re- 
linquished that form of government, and were organ- 
ized on the Cambridge platform as to government, and 
the Westminster Confession as to doctrine. For about 
five years Mr. Price remained quietly at Belfast. In 
that time the population of the town was doubled, and 
a majority was found to vote against assessing his sala- 
*-y. In the spring of 1802, his civil contract with the 

*"This river was called by the natives Pasagasiwakeag, pronounced Pa- 
S3g-a.sa-wa-keag, and sometimes contracted into Sag.a-sa-wa kee, the 
name given to the adjoining territory or hunting ground, signifying the land 
of sights, or ghosts !» Rcv. Mr. Price's letter. 



i68 GOSREGATIONALISTS, 

town was dissolved by mutual consent, and in Septem- 
ber following a council was invited to meet at Belfast, 
and his pastoral relation to the Church regularly dissol- 
ved. He continued however to preach to the people 
gratuitously until the spring of 1803, when he remov- 
ed from' the town and settled in Boscawen in New- 
Hampshire. 

The Church was now vacant for two years. In the 
summer of 1805, Rev. Alfred Johnson of Freeport visi- 
ted Belfast, and was invited by the people to settle with 
them. But he was not yet dismissed from Freeport. In 
September of that year a council was convened at Cam- 
den for the ordination of Rev. Mr, Cochran in that place, 
and by agreement of parties the question respecting the 
dissolution of the pastoral relation between Mr. Johnson 
and his former charge was referred to that Council, and 
decided affirmatively ; at the same time, by request of 
Mr. Johnson and the Church at Belfast, that council 
issued letters missive for convoking another Council to 
sit at Belfast during the next week for his proposed in- 
stallation. The Council met accordingly, and Rev. Mr.. 
Johnson was installed Pastor of the Church in Belfast on 
the 25th of September 1 805. A previous arrangement 
had been made between him and the Church respecting 
his dismission should such a measure ever become expe- 
dient. Agreeably to this arrangement Mr. Johnson was 
dismissed in October 1813, without summoning a coun- 
cil specially for that purpose. The Church was thus 
left destitute of a stated Pastor. Missionary Societies 
gave them occasional aid, and for several years the peo- 



COUNTY OF HANCOCK. lOi) 

,ple did not view themselves in a situation to settle anoth- 
er Minister. 

In the year 1S18 the people had employed, as a can- 
tfidate for settlement, Rev, William Frothingham, who 
had been once settled at Saugus in Massachusetts. — 
After a time spent in probation he received an invitation 
to settle in the Ministry among them. As the time for 
his installation approached, the Church declined acting 
in tlieir associated capacity, but the parish proceeded, a 
Council was invited, and Mr. Frothingham installed. — 
This took place in July 1819. On the 9th of Septem- 
ber following a new Church was formed under the pas- 
toral care of Mr. Frothingham, consisting principally of 
members of various other churches who had removed in- 
to the town. The old Church still continue as a dis- 
tinct body. 

The second Church, gathered in ihe westerly part of 
Hancock County, was in a Congregational Society in the 
towns of Brooks and Jackson, about fifteen miles north- 
west from Belfast. Several Congregational families had 
commenced the sett'eraent in these townships, and Mr. 
Silas Warren had laboured considerably among them as 
a Missionary, Tlie people felt desirous that Mr. War* 
ren should take up his abode among them, which he was 
disposed to do. But, as it did not seem expedient to 
organize a Church at that rime, Mr. Warren was or- 
dained as an Evangelist without any peculiar charge. 
This took place in September 1812. About a year after 
this, Mr^ Warren gathered a Church in thai^ place, and 
became connected with it as a member, and continue? 
hisministeri^l labour, buthas not been regularly inducted 
P 



170 COXGREGATIONALISTS. 

as Pastor of the Church. — The other Church in this re- 
gion is in the town of Prospect. This town was origi- 
nally a part of Frankfort, and was incorporated with 
that in 1789, but in five years after, the town was divi- 
ded, and the south part called Prospect. A small set- 
tlement was made here early, and a Fort built on what 
•cvas, from this circumstance, denominated "Fort point," 
which is at the head Of Penobscot Bay, and commands 
the entrance of the river. The settlements to the west- 
ward of Fort point within the limits of Prospect were of 
t'he same standing with those in Belfast, and it being 
but a few miles to the old Meeting-house in that town 
many of the inhabitants of Prospect attended public wor- 
ship at Belfast. It was not until the year 1815, that a 
Congregational Church was organized in Prospect.-— 
Rev. Christopher J. Lawton had been for a considera- 
ble time employed there as a Missionary, and occasion- 
ally supported ft>r short terms by the people. They at; 
iength gave him an invitation to settle, and in Septem- 
ber of that year he wtfs ordained, a Church of seventeen 
rriembers being gathered at the same t^me^ 



WALDO PATENT. i7t 

CHAPTER XVII. 

1775. 

WALDO" PATENT* 

iTnder this general name we shall treat of all the 
Churches in Lincoln County to the eastward of Bristol, 
the other religious establishments within this territory 
having been considered in the preceding Chapter. A- 
bout the year 1629, a grant of lands in Maine was made 
Vo Beauchamp and Leverett. The land was thus de- 
scribed. ** Beginning at a place called Muscongu^ and 
thence running a straight and direct course into the main 
land or Continent to the utmost limits of ten league^ 
toward the great Sea commonly called the South Sea, 
and to the utmost limits of the distance of ten leagues 
on the north and north east of a river called Penobscot 
river" Sac. Many years after this, Col. Waldo went tp 
Englaad on behalf of the heirs of Beauchamp and Lever, 
ett, and the grant was confirmed to him in a more de- 
finite form as to its bounds. 

The first considerable settlement in the whole territory 
was a German settlement at what is now Waldobo- 
rough, made about the year 1741. A little after this a 
Fort was built on St. Georges river in Thomastoi^ 
Col. Waldo began the settlement at Warren and Cub- 
ing not far from the tipie the Germans settled at Wal- 
doborough, and called his settlement " the upper and 
lower town." The inhabitants in Warren had increase 
ed to between forty and fifty families in the year 1 763, 



IT^ uo:<"gr'egationalistsv 

and about as many had settled at Chusliing. At tij'I^ 
time the settlement at Thomaston, where the piincipal 
Iiulldings are now erected, was commenced. Before 
this time a small settlemet was made around the fort, 
and Rev. Robert Rutherford had taken iip his abode 
with the people. It does not appear that Mr. Ruther- 
ford had a distinct pastoral charge in Thomaston, or 
tliat any Church was gathered there during his life. 
He died there in October 1756. * 

The next Minister who resided in this region was 
I^ev. John Urquhart, a Presbyterian. He had been 
licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Allon in North 
Biittain, and canae first to this couatry In the year 1774,f 
and was soon employed to preach at Warren. There 
is some reason to believe that Mr. Urquhart was regu- 

. xarly settled at Warren, as a regular call was presented- 
him in the year 1 775, and he was considered the Min- 

'ister of the town for nearly eight years ; and was at 
last regularly removed by the Presbytery, convened at 
Salem in September 1783. J It is not certainly known 
whether Mr. Urquhart gathered a Church at Vv^arren. 
£rom some circumstances it jis most probable that he 
did, but no record of the transaction [s now to be found, 
and if such an event took place the Church was scat- 
tered as soon as he left the town. During the i^esidence 



» Mr. Rutherford was buried near the stit of tlie late Gen Knox. Tlie. 
following is the inscription on the t=tone phiced over his grave—" Hers, 
lies buried the body of the Rev. Mr. Robert Rutherfo.rri, M. A. who died, 
»n the i8th day of October 17515 3;;ed 6^ yr.r?. 

f Presbytftjal Recosds. 

f^ Prvsby'.-ria! Recirda 



WALDO PATENT. 17^ 

of Mr. Urquhart m this region he preached occasional- 
ly at Thomaston and Cashing, but was considered the 
Minister of Warren. The nature of the difficulties be- 
tween Mr. Urquhart and the people is unknown at this 
day. But it seems they were more anxious to get rid 
of him than he was to go, for when the town had by a 
committee settled with him for his services, supposing 
him disn\issed, he did not incline to leave the place and 
the town wrote to the Presbytery desiring them to take^ 
him away. * 

Two years after this, Rev. Thurston Whiting who 
liad been dismissed from New. Castle, removed to War- 
ren, and was employed to preach there aud in the ad- 
joining town for two or three years. In 1794, Mr. 
Jonathan Huse was employed to pieacli at Warren on 
probation. The following year the people invited him 
to settle with them, and in the autumn of 1795, a 
Church was gathered, and R.ev. Mr. Huse ordained. 
He is their present Minister. 

The second Church within the limits of the Waldo 
Patent was gatliered at Union, a town about seven miles 
-north of Warren. This town was originally called 
Sterllngton, but was incorporated by its present name 
in 1786. There were only seventeen families in the 
town at that time. Three years after this a committee 
was appointed to engage a Minister, but it does not ap- 
pear that any was regularly employed until the year 
1796. In April of that y«ar Mr. William Riddel, af- 
terward the Minister of Bristol, xyas invited to se^e at 

* Wafrcn tovm Rctords. 

P2 



ly^ CONGIIEGATIONALIST^.* 

Union, but declined. The people were considerably dtf 
vided in opinion, and the next year they voted to hire a 
Methodist preacher as the Minister of the town. Noth- 
ing more was attempted by the Congregational part of 
fhe town for several years, toward the close of the year 
1802, Mr. Abraham Gushee was engaged by the town 
to preach on probation, and in February following he 
received an invitation to settle there. For some reason 
he thought fit to decline this invitation, and he was set- 
lied afterward at T)ighton in Massachusetts. During 
this year a small Church was organized in the town, and 
the people sought another candidate. In January 1804* 
a call of the Church and town was presented to Rev. 
Jabez Pond Fisher, which he also declined. In a little 
more than a year after this Mr. Henry True was em- 
ployed in Union as a candidate for settlement. In No • 
vember 1805 he received a call and was ordained ii> 
-September of the next year. Mr. True continued to 
officiate in the ministry at Union nearly ten years after 
his ordination. In March 1816, the civil contract be- 
tween Jiim and the people was dissolved by mutual coC"- 
sent, and he soon ceased preaching. His pastoral re- 
lation to the Church xrontinued a few years longer. 

In February 1809, a second Congregational Church 
was formed in Union, consisting of three males, and 
3iine females who had previously been members of the* 
first Church. 

Thus things continued in Union until the year 1820s 
Missionaries occasionally visited the town but the peo- 
ple saw little prospect of the orderly ^sublishment of 



^vALDo PATEN r.^ 173 

t?5e Gospel amor.g them. In September 1820, the first 
Church proposed to the secorid to unite together, which 
after some negotiation was efFected. 



Tliis township was surveyed in 1768, by David 
Fales, Esq. of Thomaston. At that time there was not 
a tree felled in the town. The settlement soon became 
considerable, and after hearing several candidates the 
town became united in the choice of Mr. Thomas Coch- 
ran as their Minister, and in September 1805 he w^as 
ordained A Church was organized by the ordaining 
Council. Rev. Mr. Cochran remained in Camden tea 
years, and was then dismissed by mutual consent. The 
Church has since been vacant. 

The Congregational Church at Waldoborough was 
gathered in August 1807, and at the same time Rev. 
John Ruggles Cutting was ordained its Pastor, The 
settlements at this place as has been before stated were 
among the first in the Waldo patent, but the original 
settlers were mostly Germans, and th« Lutheran Church 
had the precedency. This accounts for the late estab- 
lishment of a Congregational Church in so ancient a 
settlement. The people had occasionally been supplied 
with Congregational preaching before, but Mr. Cutting 
was their first settled Minister. The ministry of Mr. 
Cutting was of short duration. In the autumn of 1811, 
he left the town, and went westward on a journey, and 
after an absence of several months, sent back a request 
to be dismissed, siati»g that he had changed his senti- 
msnts, and w^as now becQiw ^ Episcopalian. A Caun* 



176 

cil u'as convoked by the Church in March follow! ngj-; 
and the dismission granted. The Church was now va- 
cant for a few years, when on June 19, 1816, Rev. Da- 
vid Meaubec Mitchel was ordained, and is the present 

Minister, 

THOMASTON. 

As we have before stated, an early settlement was 
made in this town near the Fort. The Indians called 
the place Georgeehecy and it was incorporated by its pres- 
<pnt name in March 1777. Rev. Mr. Rutherford as we 
have before observed lived and died with this people. 
After his death the people had a variety of preachers. 
Mr. Thomas Dennis, Rev. Robert Dunlap, Mr. Urqu- 
hart, Mr. Whiting, Mr. Heniy Howard Cheely, Mr;' 
Chamberlain, Mr. Ephraim Briggs, and Mr. Richard 
Briggs were the principal of them. Mr. Cheely was 
hired nearly two years. Mr. Richard Briggs receivec! 
from the people a call to settle with them, which at a 
subsequent meeting they reconsidered and negatived^ 
But no Congregational Church was organized in the 
town until May 1809. At that time Rev. John Lord 
was installed at Thomaston. Mr. Lord's ministry con- 
tinued only two years. He was dismissed in April 1811, 
and after remaining destitute six yeais, in October 1817 
the people united in settling Rev. John H. Ingrab^fti, 
the present Minister. 



CbUNTY OF OXFORD. l/T 

CHAPTER XYIII. 

Our attention will next be directed to Oxford County, 
'where we shall find for our consideration sixteen Con- 
-gregational Churches, 

FRYEBURG.* 

The township of Fryeburg was granted to Gen. Jo« 
Sjeph Frye by the General Court of Massachusetts in 
March 1762, and confirmed on the 24th of February In 
the year following, at which time the settlement was 
commenced. With the laudable spirit of former days 
one of the first objects of the inhabiunts of Fryeburg 
was the settlement of a Minister. In October 1774", 
only eleven years after the first settlement was made. 
Rev. William Fessenden received a call to settle in the 
ministry with the people of Fryeburg. Ke accepted the 
invitation, and in August of the next year ten persons 
were embodied as a Congregational Church f and Mr. 
Fessenden was ordained in October following. Mr. Fear 
senden continued the Minister of Fryeburg until May 
1 805, v.'hen he was removed from his labours by death. 
Two or three years previous to this he relinquished his 
sallary, and preached occasionally in other places, but 
his pastoral relatioa to the Church in Fryeburg comln?- 



* The Indians called this place Pe-f^uocb-et. Tke vulgar pronunciation oj 
the name is Pigwalket. The famous battle between Capt. Lovel and the 
Indians under Pagus took p'ace at the northerly end of " Lovel's pond* in 
(this town. May 8, J 725. 

+ One of the original merabers of the Church, Hon. Slmoii Frye, still Tt- 
•mains. The others have f,i'liii afifep* 



17S CONGUEGATIOXALISTS. 

Vied daring his life. For several years after the death 
of Mr. Fessenden, the Church and Society were in a 
low state, but at length, in October 1809, another Min- 
ister, Rev Francis Lane Whiting, was ordained at Frye- 
burg. He continued preaching here for four years.— 
The civil contract was then relinquished, and after 
four years more the pastoral relation was also dissolved. 
The Church has since been vacant. The present num- 
ber of communicants is about ninety. There are two 
Meeting-houses in Fryeburg, one near the centre of the 
town, which is generally occupied by the Universalist 
Society, and the Congregational Meeting-house in the 
South part of the town, in the principal village. The 
Congregational Society have funds amounting to 2,600 
idollars, but since the dismission of Mr. Wliiting they 
have made no attempt to settle a successor. Rev. Dr. 
Porter, formerly of Conway, In New-Hampshire, has 
been employed to preach th«re most of the time foj 
three years past. 

TURNER. 

The territory now called Turner was granted by the 
General Court of Massachusetts Bay, June 25, 1765, on 
the petition of James Warren, Joseph Joslin and Charles 
Turner, agents for the proprietors of a township of land 
formerly granted to Capt Joseph Sylvester and Compa- 
ny who served in the expedition against Canada in 1 690, 
which townslilp was known by the name of Sylvester 
Canada, and which on running the line between this 
then province and New-Hampshire fell within the gov- 
ernment of New-H»mpshire, In lieu of this townsl:ii§ 



TURNER. 179 

thus fdling Avithin the limits of New-Hampshire a terri- 
tory bounded by the river Androscoggin on the east; 
Bakerstown, now Minot, south ; by Province land, now 
Hebron, Buckfield and Hartford, west ; and Province 
land, now Livermore, north ; was granted to the afore- 
-Tiamed proprietors as grantees on the following condi* 
tions^ *' That the grantees within six years settle thirty 
families in said Township, build a house fit for pub- 
lic worship, settle a learned Protestant Minister, lay 
out one sixty fourth part of said town for the use of the 
first settled Minister, and one sixty fourth part for the 
Ministry, and one sixty fourth part for a Grammar 
■School, and one sixty fourth part for the use of Harvard 
College." In the spring of 1773, the proprietors, anx- 
ious to expedite their settlement, offered a lot of land and 
a, bounty of ten dollars to every person who would do 
the duty of a settler in the town. During the summer 
following five young men* engaged on these conditions 
and came to the place, which from that time out of re- 
spect to the before mentioned Capt. Sylvester took the 
name of Sylvester plantation. They spent the summer 
in felling trees upon the lots they had taken, and in the 
winter returned to their family connexions in the County 
of Plymouth. In the following summer they were join- 
ed by several others, and in the spring of 1775, Mr. Is- 
rael Haskell removed his family into the plantation from 
New-Gloucester. His was the first family that came to 
the place and made it a permanent place of abode. Two 

♦ riiey were Ellsha Records, Thomas Records, DaaiqJ Staples, Abner 
fillips, and Joseph Lcavitt. 



180 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

other families followed him during the summer. The 
permanent settlement of the town is to be dated from 
this time. The plantation was visited in 1776, by Rev. 
Charles Turner w^ho, the year before, was dismissed from 
Duxborough in Massachusetts. He preached to the few 
who then lived in the place, and baptized two of the 
children of Mr. Haskell. He made a seoond visit in 
1779, admitted some to own the Covenant, as it was 
called, and baptized several children, and one adult. 
Nothing farther was done at that time respecting organ- 
izing a Church. Among the families that had removed 
to the plantation "Was Deacon Daniel Merrill, who be- 
longed to the Church in New Gloucester.* Afier Dea- 
con MerrilPs family came it was the practice of the in- 
habitants to convene on the Sabbath for the worship of 
God. Deacon Merrill usually had the direction of the 
exercises by leading in prayer, and reading for instruc- 
tion some printed discourse. For five years after Mr. 
Turner's second visit the plantation was not favoured 
with the visits of any Ministers except Rev. Mr. Brown 
of Westbrook, and Rev. Mr. Nash, of Gray, who spent 
each a Sabbath or two with them. In the summer of 
1784, the place was visited by Rev, John Strickland^ 
who had been previously settled in the pastoral office 
twice, first at Oakham in Massachusetts, aiid afterwards 
at Nottingham West, in Nev/-Hampshire. He was born, 
at Hadley in Mass. and was of the Class graduated at 
Vale College in 1761. Not long afier Mr. Strickland 
came to the place measures were taken to organize a 
Church which was done in the Presbyterian form, August 

♦Deacon Merrill was one of the crigii'.al members of the Cbur^li at New- 
G!giHcj;ste.r, See the sket<!!i- of tint cowft. 



COUNTY OF OXFORD. 181 

1 6th, 1 784-. The plan of Church government was after- 
wards approved by the people assembled as a Congrega- 
tion, and Mr. Strickland received the united and unani- 
mous call of the Church and people to become their Pas- 
tor. Oil the 20th of the next month the " Salem Pres- 
bytery" consisting of Rev. Nathaniel Whitaker D. D. 
Rev. Samuel Perley, and Rev. John Urquhart, with 
which Mr. Strickland was connected, met at Sylvester 
for his installation. On this occasion Mr. Urquhart of- 
fered the introductory prayer, Dr. Whitaker preached 
from 2 Kings ii. 19-22, and Mr. Perley gave the chargfe. 
At the time of Mr. Strickland's installation the families 
settled in the town were about thirty, containing per- 
haps not far from 200 souls ; twelve males and three 
females signed the original Covenant of the Church at 
its organization — After his settlement Mr. Strickland 
enjoyed peace in his connexion with the people for seve- 
ral years, and the Church increased to about thirty mem- 
bers. Six years after the installation of Mr. Strickland 
the minds of the people became divided, and at length 
a majority of the town in a regular meeting voted to 
request Mr. Strickland to take a dismission. With this 
proposal Mr. Strickland did not see fit to comply. 
Those who were alienated from him now joined with a 
number of the inhabitants of Buckfield and petitioned 
the General Court for an act of incorporation as a Bap- 
tist Society. The act was passed Nov. I7th, 1792, by 
which sixty one persons were incorporated. Twenty 
four of these lived in Turner. In less than two years 
twenty persons more joined this new society, and the 

Q 



182 CONGREGATION ALISTS. 

adherents of Mr. Strickland were thus left few in num* 
ber. Nevertheless in consequence of their desire, he con- 
tinued their Minister, agreeing to relinquish such a pro- 
portion of his salary as the taxable property of those 
who had left him bore to that of the whole town. Af^ 
ter this Mr. Strickland's friends diminished in number 
by death and removals, so that in 1795, It was thought 
advisable under existing circumstances to solicit the ad- 
vice of an Ecclesiastical Council. The Churches of 
Harpswell, Brunswick, Tqpsham, and Freeport compo* 
sed this Council. The Pastors of the three former and 
a Delegate from each met September 16th, and after 
attending to such statements as wete thought necessary 
to give a view of existing difficulties, the Council advi- 
Fed that Mr. Strickland should continue his pastoral re^ 
latlon to the Church for one year, and if the difficulties 
should then subsist he should ask a dismission, and the 
Church and people should grant It. At the same time, 
ill view of this event, the Council recommended Mr. 
Strickland as a person of unimpeached character, and 
sound in the faith. After th6 expiration of a year, things 
being no more favourable, it became a question with 
the Church whether another Council were necessary, and 
having ascertained that It was not, after some delay a 
dismission was given to Mr. Strickland by the Church . 
and people May 18th, 1797. 

For several years after Mr. Strickland's dismission, 
the place was a spiritual wilderness. The Church was 
diminishing by the death and removal of members, and 
the few that remained had so little of the life and powef 
of religion that they (^id not maintain public woi ship* 



COUNTY OF OXFORD. 18f 

The town being without a Minister, complaint was made 
as'alnst them in the fall of 1802 to the Court of Ses- 
sions of the peace, '*for neglecting to provide themselves 
with a public teacher of piety, religion, and morality." 
The town, by their Agent, appeared before the Court 
and plead that they were unwilling to conUndi and desired 
to have farther time to comply with the lav.\ Being 
thus excited to do something for the support of a Min-- 
ister, Rev. Mr. Stiickland who still continued to reside 
in town, and Rev. Charles Turner wlio had resided in 
town from the year 1792, v/ere each employed for a 
time. After both had preached the term of time they 
severally had agreed, a call with certain conditions was 
voted by the town for Mr. Turner to settle in the work 
of the Gospel ministry, and a committee was appointed 
to request the Churches concurrence. — The Church hav- 
ing previously selected Mr. Strickland to the pastoral 
office, voted not to concur with the town but to adhere 
to the election they had made. In this election of the 
Church the town refused to concur. There being this 
disagreement between the town and the Church there 
could be no further proceedings in relation to either can- 
didate. As the Church had been six years destitute of 
a pastor and their number had become much diminished 
by several of the members withdrawing themselves and 
uniting with other denominations, and by the deaths 
and removals of others ; and as but imperfect records 
had been kept of the proceedings of the Church, and it 
not appearing distinctly from the papers of the Church 
who belonged to it, some, dissatisfied that the Church 
did not concur with the town, denied that a Church ej> 



18* CONGREGATIONALTSTS. 

isted there. This induced the Church to call in an TLc* 
clesiastical Council to advise them in their difficulties, 
and determine whether they were a Church. A Coun- 
cil as requested assembled on the 18th of October 1803, 
and after attendir^g to a representation of the state of 
tilings, gave it as their unanimous opinion that the 
Church was not extinct. The Church then in presence 
of the Council voted to change their form to that of a 
Congregational Church, and seven male members sub- 
scribed a Confession of Faith and Covenant. 

Previous to these transactions of the Church Mr. A- 
inasa Smith, a candidate for the Gospel ministry, being 
on a journey and passing through the town, was em- 
ployed by the inhabitants to supply them with preach- 
ing. After having preached a number of weeks, the 
Church unanimously gave him an invitation to settle 
with them. The town concurred in the invitation, and 
Mr. Smith was ordained there May 23, 1804-. The in- , 
habitants of the town were not fully agreed in the settle- 
ment of Rev. Mr. Smith, and the immediate conse- 
quence of it was the establishment of a Society of Uni- 
versalists in which fifty four persons were incorporated ; 
thirty others joined with tbem within a year. These 
measures led the Congregational part of the inhabitants 
to organize themselves as a distinct Parish, in which ca- 
pacity they have since acted. The lands reserved for 
the use ot the Ministry in the town, and those for the 
use of Schools had been sold a little before this by or- 
der of the Legislature, and the proceeds vested in s. 
Board of Trustees, to be applied for the respective pur- 
poses for which the lands were granted, as soon as th^,. 



COUNTY OF OXFORD. 185 

nitereat of the School Fund amounted to 200 dollars, 
•and the ministerial when it amounted to 350 dollars. 
The School Fund became productive in 1808, and' the 
ministerial in March 1811. 

As there was no assistance from the ministerial fund 
for the support of Mr. Smith, and as nearly half the 
town had become a distinct Society and were not taxed 
in raising his salary, the burden upon the remaining 
part was considerably heavy. 

It had been agreed between Mr. Smith and people al 
his settlement, that, when two thirds of the people re- 
quested it, he should be dismissed. In the spring of 
1806, a meeting was held to consider this subject, but 
two thirds were not found to vote the proposed dismis- 
sion. A committee was appointed however to consult 
with Mr. Smith on this subject, and he and they agreed 
that his dismission should eventnally take place. It was 
finally accomplished October 7th of the same year, and 
on the 22d of the same month he was installed Pastor 
of the second Church in North-Yarmouth. The minis- 
try of Mr. Smith at Turner was short, but it is hoped 
not wholly without good effect. Much of the seed of 
divine truth was sown, but the extent of the harvest 
viewed in all its consequences can be . known only to 
God. Eight persons while he was in the pastoral office 
became members of the Church 

After the dismission of Mr. Smith, four years past a»- 
way and the Church was destitute of a Pastor, During 
this period the place was visited by several Missionaries, 
mostly from the Hampshne County Missionary Society, 
la the spring of 1810, the present Pastor of the Church, 
Q2 



18^ CONGREGATION ALISTS. 

•V. Allen Greely, began to preach as a candidate for 
:i)ement. At this time the Church contained but 
>^venty one members. In the course of the summer Mr. 
Greely received the united call of the Church and So- 
cie:y. md was ordained October SI, IS 10. The next 
summer after his settlement a few individuals had their 
attention excited ro the things of the eternal world; but 
there was no general awakening. Moie than six years 
past away and gross darkness covered the people. At 
lene'uh in die suinmer of 1816, God was pleased to Im- 
press seriousness on the minds of a number. The influ- 
ences of his Spirit were silent, and the ejffects were so- 
lemn. The attention continued during two seasons, and 
In consequence of it the Church was enlarged so as to 
contain more than sixty members. 



In the year 1798 the plantation of New Suncook, now 
the town of Lovell,\vas favored with a signal display of 
mercy in the hopeful conversion of a considerable num- 
ber of persons. The consequence of this was the estab- 
lishment of a Congregational Church there, which took 
place on the 6th of October in that year. Nine persons 
were admitted at that time. Subsequently forty seven 
persons have been received into this Church. Some of 
these persons lived in the adjoining towns, particularly 
In Sweden, where a Church has since been gathered* 
By deaths and removals the Church In Lovell Ig now 
reduced to twenty eight members. About twenty fam- 
.ilies belong to the Congregational Society. 



COUNTY OF OXFORD. l&f 

BETHEL. 

The town of Bethel was granted to certain inhabf- 
tants of Sudbury, in Massachusetts for services perform- 
ed in Canada in "the old French ivar.*' Hence the 
plantation took the name of " Sudbury Canada." The 
first permanent settlement in the town was made by 
Mr. Samuel Ingals. He first came there in the sum- 
mer of 1776, and moved his family to the town in No- 
vember of the following year. The Congregational 
Church in that place was formed in October 1799, and 
consisted of seven males and four females. Rev. Dan- 
iel Gould was then preaching in the town as a candidate 
for settlement. The people had given him a call, which 
he had accepted, and he was ordained October 9th, two 
days after the organization of the Church. In May 
1809, Rev. Mr. Gould was dismissed from Bethel, and 
the Church remained vacant ten years. In January 
1819, Rev. Henry Sewall was installed there, but difii^ 
culties soon arose between him and the people and he 
was dismissed on the 10th of May 1820. They are' 
now destitute. 

WATERFORD. 

The first settlement In this towm was made by Mr. 
David McQuain In the autumn of 1775, He is still liv- 
ing there, a bachelor, at the present day. It was not 
till 1783, that any considerable settlement was made- 

The first Inhabitant of Waterford who was in full 
communion with any Chrisjtian Church, was a Mrs. 
Hor, the wife of Mr. Philip Hor, originally fromTaun- 



188 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

ton. No Church was organized in the town until Oc. 
tober 1799. Then eight males covenanted together, 
and became a church of Christ. At the same time 
Rev. Lincoln Ripley of Barre in Massachusetts was or- 
dained their Pastor. He has continued with them to 
the present time. Eleven more males and four females 
were soon admitted to the Church, and the Lord's sup- 
per was administered foi the first time. Before the 
close of the year, twenty-five persons more were added 
to the Church. The attention to religion still continu- 
ed. Nine members were added the next year, and the 
same number in 1801.* 

ANDOVER. 

Andover, formerly called East Andover, is a pleas» 
ant town lying in the northerly part of the County of 
Oxford, about ten miles north of Pennycook falls on 
the Androscoggin. Ellis' river intersect'^ the town, and 
settlements are made on both sides of itextendngabout 
five miles. The first family that moved into the town 
was that of Ezekiel Merrill Esq. in May 1 789. Two 
years after, other families came in, and in 1804 the 
town was incorporated. In November 1800, a Congre* 
gational Church was organized in the town by Rev. 
Daniel Gould of Bethel, consisting of seven males and 
nine females. The Church and Society, though few in 
number soon made exertions to obtain a Minister, and 
in the early part of the year 1806, a call was presented 
to the Rev. Jacob Rice, formerly of Htnniker, (N. H.) 
to become their Minister. But Mr. Rice declined their 
invitation, and was afterward settled at Brownfield.*— 

*M3sa, Hist. Coll. vol. 9, p. I4S', 



COUNTY OF OXFORD. 189 

Shortly after, Rev. John Strickland, formerly of Tur- 
ner, was engaged as a candidate, and installed Pastor of 
the Church, March 12, 1806. He is their present Min- 
i ster. 

SUMNER. 

' This town at its first settlement together with the 
greater part of what is now Hartford was originally 
called the plantation of Butterfield.* Both towns were 
incorporated in 1798. Occasional preaching was en- 
joyed here and some baptisms administered, but no 
Church was gathered until the month of September 
1802. At that time by the joint labours of Rev. Enoch 
Hale of West Hampton, and Rev. Jonathan Grout of 
Hawley Missionai ies from the Hampshire County Mis- 
sionary Society, and Rev. Jonathan Scott of Minot a 
Congregational Church was constituted consisting of 
eighteen members, eight of them being males. Not far 
from this time through the instrumentality of Missiona- 
ries and others there was a considerable attention to re- 
ligion, and the Church was subsequently enlarged. It 
continued to receive yearly accessions, but had no stated 
Pastor for ten years after its formation. In October 
181 1, the Church together with other individuals in Sum- 
ner and Hartford united In presenting a call to Mr. 
Samuel Sewall, who was ordained June 3, 1812. The. 
whole number of members in the Church at that time 
was fifty one. The present number (Dec. 1820) is fif= 
ty-nine, twenty-six of whom live in Hartford. Rev. Mr. 
Sewall continues to minister among them. 

* So named for 3 considerable proprietor. 



190 C0NGREGATI0NALI9TS. 

HEBRON. 

The same Council who organized the Church in Sum- 
ner held another session at Hebron on October 8th of the 
same year, where they constituted a Church of eight 
males, and five or six females. Of these persons two 
were dismissed from the Church in Minot, and one from 
the north Church in Bridgwater, for the express purpose 
of being formed into a Church. Two were members of 
Churches in Massachusetts with certificates of regular' 
standing, such as is usually given to a travelling Broth- 
er, but no dismission. The others had never before 
been public professors. After the establishment of the 
Church, Missionaries frequently visited Hebron. Rev. 
Joseph Blodget and Rev. Joshua Crosby both of Green- 
wich, Rev. Jotham Sewall, Rev. Mr. Williston, Rev. 
Mr. Norton, Rev. Gardiner Kellogg and Rev. Dr. 
Payson of Rindge were among the principal of these. 
In October 1812, Rev. Henry Sewall was ordained to 
the Pastoral care of this Church, and laboured there in 
the Gospel for three years. The contract between him 
and the people was then dissolved, and he ceased preach- 
ing. The Pastoral relation continued about two year§ 
longer, and was then regularly dissolved. The Church 
is now vacant. It consists of nineteen males and thirty 
females. 

NORWAY. 

The Congregational Church in Norway was organi- 
zed by Missionaries about the year 1802. The people 
in that place have enjoyed the ministrations of only one 
stated Pastor. Rev. Noah Cresey was ordained there 
September 20, 1809. His ministry continued ten years. 



COUNTY OF OXFORD. 191 

He was dismissed b7 mutual consent in December 181 9-, 
and the Church is now destitute. 

RUMFORD. 

This town, which was originally granted to Timothy 
Walker of Concord and his associates, lies on both sides 
of Lie Androscoggin, both above and below the great 
falls, called "Pennycook falls." The name of these 
falls gave a name to the plantation until its incorpora- 
tion. The settlement was commenced here in the year 
1777. In the autumn of this year Mr. Jonathan Keyes 
removed his family here, which was the first family, that 
settled in the place. It was not until August 1803 that 
a Congregational Church was formed here. Rev. Josh- 
ua Crosby and Rev. Jotham Sewall, then Missionaries 
in that region, gathered a Church of six members only, 
one half of them being males. The Congregational So- 
ciety was small and no candidate was employed for set- 
tlement for several years. Rev. Samuel R. Hall was 
the first settled Minister of this people, and was ordain- 
ed Nov. 14, 1811. A considerable revival of religion 
soon followed this event, and a large number were unit- 
ed to the Church. Mr. Hall lived only three years af- 
ter his ordination. He died in Nov. 1814. The 
Church at his death consisted of seventy members. In 
a few months after the death of Mr. Hall the Church 
and people turned their eyes upon Rev. Daniel Gould 
formerly of Bethel as a succes5or,and he was installed 
May 31, 1815. He remains with them at the present 
time. 



191S CONGREGATXONALISTS. 

ALBANYl 

This town was incorporated by its present name in 
1 803. In September of the same year a Congregation- 
al Church was organized there, consisting of twenty two 
members. It has not been greatly enlarged since, — 
twenty-four members of the Church remain in the town, 
and several others have removed, who have not been 
regularly dismissed. About thirty families belong to 
the Congregational Society. 

DIXFIELB. 

A Congregational Church was formed in this town 
in May 1806, by Rev. Alexander McLean, Rev. Jom 
tham Sewall, and Rev. Jonathan Belden. It then con- 
sisted of ten persons, and has since increased to more 
than twenty. The people have not yet enjoyed the min^ 
istrations of a stated Pastor. 

BROWNFIELD. 

This town adjoins the State of New-Hampshire, a 
little to the westward of Fryeburg. The only Congre* 
gational Minister ever settled in this town is Rev. Ja- 
cob Rice who was dismissed from Henniker in New- 
Hampshire in 1782. He was installed at Brownfield in 
the year 1806, at which time a small Church was form* 
ed. Mr. Rice is still the Minister of that people. 

WELD. 

This town was formerly called " Webb's Pond Planta- 
tion," or " No. 5," and was incorporated by its present 
name in 1 8 1 5. In the month of August 1 809, ^ Church 



COUNTY OF OXFORD. 19S 

of eighteen persons was organized by Rev. Gardiner 
Kellogg and Rev. Jotham Sewall, v^ho were there as 
Missionaries. The people have never yet had a settled 
Minister .f 

PARIS. 

A Congregational Church was formed In the South- 
ern part of Paris in the year 1812. Two years after 
this It consisted of seventeen persons, five males and 
twelve females. About thirty families are connected 
with the Congregational Society. 

SWEDEN. 

In this town a small Congregational Church was 
gathered in November 1817. Eight of the original 
members were at that time dismissed from the Church 
in Lovell. This too is destitute of a stated Pastor. 

GILEAD. 

A Church of twenty one members was organized In 
this place In the year 1818. About this time the mis- 
sionary labours of Rev. James Walker and others were 
greatly blessed to this people, and fifteen more were ad- 
ded to the Church in the early part of the following 
year. No Minister has yet been settled. 



t See report of the Truarees of the MAJne Missionary Society for iSrp. 

R 



lS4l OONGiiEGATlONALIStlgf 

CHAPTEil XIX. 

i7r6. 

KENNEBECK COUNTY. 

The County of Kennebeck belonged originally to the 
County 6f Lincoln from which it was separated by an 
act of incorporation in the year 1799. In this County 
thirteen Congregational Churches have been established. 

WINTHROP. 

The town of Winthrop originally comprized the ter- 
ritory belonging to that town and Readfield. A small 
settlement was commenced at the place wheie the prin- 
cipal village is now built, a little previous to the year 
1770. In 177 i, the town was incorporated. The peo- 
ple soon took rheasures td obtain a Minister and in 1772, 
appointed a committee for that purpose. Arrangements 
were made the next year for building a Meeting-house, 
and a candidate was procured to preach with a view to 
settlement. This was Mr. Thurston Whiting; iBub ho 
formal invitation was given him to settle, and after re- 
maining at Winthrop until the winter of 1775, he de- 
parted, and was ordained at New-Castle. In the sum- 
mer of 1776, the town employed Mr. Jeremiah Shaw 
as a preacher, and measures were taken for gathering a 
Church and giving Mr. Shaw a call to settle. A Coun- 
cil was convoked in September of that year, and a 
Church of sixteen males, and eleven females duly or« 
ffanized. Mr. Shaw however declined the invitation 



KEXNEBECK COUNTY. 195 

given him to settle at VVInthrop,* and the next year found 
the people still destitute. But being anxious to have 
the regular administration of divine ordinances amon^ 
them the people empowered a committee to employ s.6 
a candidate " some young man who should come well 
recommended as to his moral character." f For three 
years no person was employed.' The local situation of 
the town, having a large pond in the ceatre, rendered it 
somewhat difficult for the people to be all accommodat- 
ed in on0 place of worship. Several expedients were 
proposed, and It was at length agreed by the inhabl- 
tants in October 1781, to worship together for ten year?. 
At the same time the Church and town concurred in 
presenting a call to Rev. David Jewett who had been re- 
cently dismissed from Candia in New-Hampshire, and 
he was installed over them Jan. 2, 1782. The minis- 
try of Mr. Jewett was of short duration. He was re- 
moved by death in February of the following year. 

The people had found it inconvenient to assemble to- 
getherfor public worship, and about this time the town 
was divided into two Parishes. These Parishes were 
regularly incorporated in 1790, and the easterly Parish 
was constituted as the town of Readfield during the 
following year. In August 1786, a town-meeting was 
called to see if the people could agree in the settlement 
of Mr. Jac#b Cram, who it seems was then preaching at 
Winthrop. After employing him a term longer the 
town gave him a call, but he declined their invitation, 

♦ Winthrop town Record, 

t Mr, Shaw was settled at Moultonborough in Ncw-Ha.rp.hirc in njp. 



196 CONGREGATIONAUStS. 

and was soon after settled in Hopkinton in New-Hahip* 
shire. For several years after this the religious affairs 
of the town were declining, and but few pieachers were 
employed there. In the year 1799, the town in their 
corporate capacity declining to take any measures for 
the resettlement of the ministry, those who felt favoura- 
bly disposed to Congregationalism having obtained the 
consent of the town, formed a poll-parish and obtained 
an act of incorporation. In connexion with the Church 
they soon presented a call to Mr. Jonathan Belden, and 
he was ordained their Minister in August 1800. The 
number in this new Parish was small at the beginning, 
and not increasing much afterward it became somewhat 
difficult for the people to support the worship and or- 
dinances of God among them. In five years Rev. Mr, 
"Belden found it expedient to ask a dismission, which was 
granted agreeably to advice of Council in September 
1805. During the winter following the poll-parish was 
dissolved by an act of the Legislature, and the people 
again acted as a town in providing a supply for the 
pulpit. R.ev. David Thurston, the present Pastor of 
.the Church, was ordained February 18, 1807. 

HOLLOWELL, AUGUSTA, CHESTERVILLE, AND 
FARMINGTON, 

The settlements at Hallowell and Augusta are of lit- 
\\c more than fifty years standing. * They were origin- 

* A Mr Richardson now living at Clinton came into that country about 
Ihc year 1771 He says there were th»n three families at Lewigton, a few- 
settlers at Winthrop Mills, and three fsmiiies only at Augubta, and no qV??- 
settlements on that rout- 



ke:snebeck county. 197 

ally one town called Hallowell, and it was Incorporat- 
ed In 1771. The first Minister settled in the town was 
Rev. Isaac Foster. He came to Hallowell in May 
1786. It was, at this moment a time of some attention 
to religion among the people, and they gladly received 
any one who came in the name of the Lord. A Church 
had been organized sometime before this, and after a 
short time of probation Mr. Foster was ordained. This 
took place in October of that year. But his ministry 
was short and unpleasant. The people very soon be- 
came dissatisfied with Mr. Foster, and In November 
1788, a Council was called to consider the matters of 
grievance, and after a patient investigation which occu- 
pied them eight days they dismissed Mr. Foster-without 
granting him any recommendation, f For several 
years after this event, the people at Hallowell had but 
little stated preaching. 

In the month of May following the dismlsbion of 
Mr. Foster, a few pious men living at Chester planta- 
tion, now the town of Chesterville, about thnty miles 
north f.om HiiUowell, addressed a joint letter to some 
of their pious friends living at Hallowell who had never 
united with Mr. Foster^s Church, proposing to unite to- 
gether and form a Church. This proposal was very 
cordially received, and a day of Fasting was appointed. 
The Brethren from both places met at the house of 
Benjamin PettinglU Esq. in Hallowell, and spent the 
day in prayer. It was agreed to form a Church, and a 

t this Council consisted 0/ Rev- MeSMS, Browfte and Wiljiams, of Fa!- 
mouth, 



198 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

Council was invited accordingly. The Council conven- 
ed on February 25, 1790. Rev Mr. Emerson of George- 
town, and Rev. Mr. Eaton of Harpswell, with their 
Delegates were ail, who attended, and they proceeded 
to organize a Church of nine male members, five of 
them livmg in Hallowell, and four in Chester planta- 
tion A.S there was already a Congregational Church in 
Hallowell, it was proposed to call this the " Chester 
Church." In about a year after this, the name was 
changed to "Hallowell Church," and it was agreed that 
the members living at Chester plantation should have 
liberty to remove their relation from it, and form a new 
Church in their own town whenever they should judge 
It expedient. 

It had been thought very desirable by some, that, if 
practicable, a union should be formed between the new 
Church and that with which Mr. Foster had been con- 
nected, previous to the settlement of another Minister in 
the town. After some negotiation between the parties 
a Council was mutually invited in January 1793, and a 
union was accomplished. But the parties were not hap- 
py together, and waited for an opportunity to separate 
again. In about a year after this, the town of Hallo- 
well was legally divided into three Parishes, the present 
town of Hallowell being one, a second comprehending 
the principal settlement at Augusta, which left a north 
Parish adjoining Vassalborough, This presented a fair 
opening for a division of the Church which took place 
at this time, (June 1794) the members of the former 
Hallowell Church, living principally within that parish, 
■now became a Church by themselves. In August of 



COUNTY OF KEN^EBEGIC. 199 

the next year. Rev. EHphalet Gillet was ordained Pas- 
tor of what was then called the south Church in Hal- 
lo well, and remains in the ministry there to the present 
time. 

In October of the same year Rev. Daniel Stone was 
ordained to the pastoral care of what was termed " the 
first Church in the middle Parish in Hallowell." ♦ In 
February 1797, the middle and north Parishes in Hal- 
lowell were incorporated as a distinct town and called 
Harrington. The name was changed to Augusta in 
June following. Rev. Mr. Stone remained in the min- 
istry at Augusta a little more than eleven years. He 
was dismissed by mutual consent in May 1809 After 
being destitute about two years. Rev. Benjamin Tappan 
was ordained in October 1811, and is the present PaJ* 
tor of the Church. 

Some persons belonging to the town of Farmington 
had united with the " Chester Church," and it was 
found expedient for them to act as a separate body from 
the Church in Hallowell. Accordingly on August 18, 
1796, a meeting was held in Farmington, and the mem- 
bers of the old Church living in Chesterville and Far- 
mington became a separate body, known by the name 
of " the Church in Chesterville." As this part of the 
country had become settled, missionaries had occasional- 
ly rode through it. Rev. Levi Frisbie of Ipswich was 
at Chesterville for a short time in the year 1792, and 
shortly after Mr. Wait Cornwall of Cninecticutt, a 
young man who had spent some time at New-Glouces- 



* Wells Church Records, 



SOO CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

ter, and being instrumental in a considerable awakening 
tliere, was at Chesteiville and its vicinity. 

In the year 1796, Mr. Jotham Sewall, and inhabit- 
ant of Chester ville, and one of the original members of 
the Church in that town, was licensed to preach, and 
two years after was ordained as an Evangelist by the 
Lincoln Association, Rev. Mr. Sewall did not incline 
to settle in the ministry though often requested both at 
Chesterville, and sundry other places ; but he preached 
considerably at Chesterville, and administered the or- 
dinances there, and the people had no other stated 
preaching. In the summer of the year 1820, Mr. Sew- 
all was again requested to take the pastoral charge of 
this Chuich, which invitation he now accepted, and was 
installed on the 9th of August in that year. 

The members of the Church living in Farmington 
had been separated from it nearly six years before. In 
December 1814, a Council was convened at Farming- 
ton who organized a Chuich there of about twelve 
members, but they have not yet enjoyed the ministiations 
of a stated Pastor. The most remarkable revival of r'e- 
ligion within these limits, was at Chesterville in the ear- 
ly part of the year 1819. " It began at the commence- 
ment of the year. It was limited as to territory, ex- 
tending only about three miles square, but powerful and 
general, where it prevailed. Almost every house with- 
in these limits became a Bethel, where God was daily 
worshipped., and almost every family included seme that 
were mourning under a sense of guilt, or rejoicing 



KENNEBECK COUNTT. SOI 

through hope in Christ. Between sixty and seventy are 
supposed to have passed from death unto life."* 

WINSLOW. 

Fort Halifax was in this town, and a small settlement 
was made here about as early as the settlement at Hal- 
lowelL The town then lay on both sides of the Ken- 
nebeck, and included what is now Waterville as well as 
the prasent town of Winslow. In the early part of the 
year 1896, Mr. Joshua Cushman was employed to 
preach at Winslow, and on the 10th of June in that 
year he was ordained as the Minister of that people. — 
But there was no Church in the town, nor was any one 
gathered there during Mr. Cushman*s ministry. 

At the time of his settlement a number of persons 
belonging to the Society subscribed certain articles of 
belief, and were considered by some as a substitute for 
a Church, but the sacrament of the Lord's supper was 
never administered to them, neither were they acknow- 
ledged as a Church by those in the neighbouihood. f 
Mr. Cushman continued to preach in the several parts 
of the town for nearly eighteen years. He then dis- 
continued his ministrations, and none other has been 
settled in the place. 



, * Report of the Trustees of the Maine Missionary Society for 1819, 

+ •' Seven in that place (Winslow; have united with our Church. In No- 
vember last, ve held our communion there ; this was the first time the 
Lord's supper was ever administered to a Congregational Church in Wins- 
low." 
Report of the Massachusetts Miss. Soc. for 1 Sip, in Recorder ofjuoe*. 



tO^ CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

NEW SHARON. * 

A Congregational Church was organized in this town 
by a Council convened for that purpose February 9th 
1801. In October 1815, Rev. Hezekiah Hall was or- 
dained its Pastor. Very trying difficulties soon appear- 
ed. Mr. Hall's conduct was considered very repre- 
hensible, and in July 1816, he was dismissed without a 
recommendation. For some time the Church was torn 
with dissentions, but at length peace was restored, the 
smiles of divine providence were afforded, the Spirit 
was poured out from on high, and many were suppos- 
ed to be converted. ♦ The Church is still destitute of ^ 
stated Pastor* 

FAIRFAX, NOW THE TOWN OF FREDONIA. 

In the year 1790. six families only inhabited this town. 
Soon after this, one public professor of religion moved 
here. As the settlement advanced it was visited by 
Missionaries. Dr. Payson, of Rindge, Mr. MeLean of 
Bristol, and Mr. Sewall of Chesterville, were among 
those who occasionally preached in Fairfax. In the 
ye an- 1802, some special attention to religion was dis- 
covered under the preaching of Mr. Sewall, and in Sep- 
tember of the next year a Church of seven persons was 
organized by Messrs. McLean and Sewall. Mr. Dan- 
iel Lovejoy, a member of that Church, and a resident 
in the town Was licensed to preach, and afterwards or- 
dained as an Evangelist. He often preaches in Fairfax, 
but has never yet taken a pastoral relation to the Church, 
The present number of communicants is about ten. 



* Report of the Maine Mis». Soc. for I Sip. 



KENNEBECk COtJNTlf. ^DS 

UNITY. 

Here Is a small Congregational Church. It was or- 
ganized by Rev. Jotham Sewall,in December 1804. It 
has never been much enlarged, containing in 1811, 
from twelve to twenty members. 

TEMPLE. 

This town lies in the northerly part of the County, 
and began to be settled about the year 1795. It was 
originally called Abbotstown, and incorporated by its 
present name in June 1803. A few years after this. 
Rev. Mr, Stone, being here on a Mission, organized a 
small Church, and in February 1810, Rev. David Smith 
was ordained to the pastoral care of it. Mr. Smith's 
ministry at Temple was very successful. Divine influ- 
ences attended the preaching of the word, and many 
were converted. But the town was new, and the sup- 
port of a Minister was found to be difficult, and in Jan- 
uary 1819, Mr. Smith was dismissed at his own request. 
No person occupies his place. The Church now con- 
tains about fifty members. Rev. Mr. Smith has since 
been installed at Centre-Harbour in New-Hampshire. 

PITTSTON.* 

For many years this place was considered Missionary 
ground. In the year 1812, Mr. Daniel Hendrick la- 
boured there a few weeks as a Missionary, and his 



* The river Kenncbeck was visited by Europeans very early. The 
Antiquarian might find mairy valuable fragments scattered along on its 
banks, and in Pittst»n especially. Particulars cannot here be noticed. 



S04 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

preaching being acceptable he was Invited to tarry with 
the people. In November of that year a small Church 
was gathered In the town, and Mr. Hendrick was or- 
dained. He remained the Minister of that people about 
eight years, and was dismissed by mutual consent in 
the month of August 1820. The Church is now va- 
cant. 

WILTOW. 

The first family that moved into Wilton came thith*. 
er In the spring of the year 1 792. Eleven years after 
this it was incorporated. A few public professors In the 
Congregational order had removed to the town, and In 
February 1818, a small Church was gathered there by 
Rev. Jotham Sewall. It contains at present about fif- 
teen members. 

VASSALBOROUGH. 

This town lies on the eastern shore of the Kennebeck, 
adjoining Augusta, and was settled about the same 
time with the other towns on the river. But a great 
proportion of the Inhabitants belonging to the Society 
of Friends, the establishment of a Congregational Church 
is recent. The place was visited by Missionaries for 
several years, and the people occasionally provided 
themselves with a supply of preaching. In the begin- 
ning of the year 1818, Mr. Thomas Adams was ap- 
pointed by the Trustees of the Maine Missionary Socie- 
ty to labour at Vassalborough. His labours proving 
acceptable the people made proposals for his settlement 
with them, and he was ordained in August of that 
year. A small Church had been a short time previously 
formed. Rev. Mr. Adams is still its Pastor. 



KENNEBECK COUNTY. S05 

GERRY; formerly MALTA. 

In this town is another Congregational Church. Tlie 
town being new, and the people somewhat divided in 
sentiment, it was considered Missionary ground, Mr. 
Clarke Cornish was there in 1818 in the employment of 
the Maine Missionary Society, and some special atten- 
tion to religion was manifest at that time. In August 
of that year a Church of eight members was gathered 
there. Four more were soon added. " It is still with 
them a day of small things, but compared with their 
previous situation not to be despised." * 



* Report of the Trustees of the Maine Miss. Soc. for 1810, 



s 



SOS COXGREGATIOXALISTS. 

CHAPTER XX. 

1/81. 

COUNTY OF WASHINGTON. 

The County of Washington was established as such 
in the year 1789. Most of the settlements in the Coun- 
ty are of recent date. Within its limits are five Con- 
gregational Churches viz. in Machlas, Dennysville, 
Robbinston, Eastport, and Lubec. The Church at 
Machias is the only one which has enjoyed the minis- 
tratiois of a stated Pastor for any considerable time. 
This town was so called from Mechisses, the Indian 
name of the river which intersects it. A trading wig- 
wam was set up here by a Mr. Allerton from Plymouth 
in 1633, consisting of five men, but no permanent set- 
tlement was then made. * In 1744-, a small settlement 
was made at the east falls, by a few French families. 
In May 1763, fifteen persons of both sexes moved from 
Scarborough in Cumberland County, and settled at the 
west falls. In 1770, a grant of the land in the town- 
ship was made by the General Court to Ichabod Jones, 
and seventy-nine others under certain conditions, which 
being complied with, the town was incorporated in June 
1784. t 

The first Minister who resided in Machias, or in any 
of the surrounding region, was Rev. James Lyon. Mr. 
Lyon was a native of New-Jersey, educated at Prince- 
ton College, and ordained at large by the Presbytery of 

* Winthrop's Journal page 57- Hubbaid's Hist, page 163. 
t Mass. Hist. Coll. Vol. 3. page 1444 



COUNTY OF WASHINGTON. 20/ 

his native State. He came to Machlas in the year 1771, 
when there were about seventy families in the town, and 
the year following was employed by the inhabitants as 
their Minister. In 1781, Mr. Lyon organized a Church 
at Machias on Congregational principles, but was nev- 
er regularly installed its Pastor, although he continued 
to preach in the town until his death which took place In 
the year 1794. 

About a year after the death of Mr. Lyon, Rev. 
Clark Brown was ordained Pastor of the Church and 
Society in Machias, but after remaining there two years 
he was dismissed at his own request, and installed after- 
wards at Brimfield m Massachusetts. The Church was 
now vacant between two and three years, but in the 
year 1800, Rev. Marshfield Steele was ordained there, 
aod is the present Minister, although from bodily infir- 
mity he has not been able to preach much for two or 
three years past. * 

The second Church in this County was gathered in 
the plantation called by the Indians Penemequan, now 
the town of Dennysville. This took place October 27, 
1805. Rev. Jotham Sewall was then labouring in that 
region as a Missionary, and performed this work. The 
Church has never been greatly enlarged, and is not yet 
in a condition to settle a Minister. 

The next religious establishment in this region was 
made at Robbinston, a town lying on the western side of 
Passamaquoddy Bay, at the mouth of Scoodic river. — 



* " Since this work was put to press Rev. Abraham Jackson has bf en or- 
dained at Maehiae-, as colleague Pastor with Rev- Mr. Steele." 



SOS CONGREGATIONATJSTB. • 

While the settlement was yet new Missionaries were seri 
among the people On the '24th oC November 1811, a 
Church of six members wa4 organized there by Rev. 
Jojham Sewall and Mr. Ephraim Abbot, since the Min- 
ister of Greenland in New-Hampshire. In the sum- 
mcr of 1818, Rev. Daniel Lovejoy, who had been for 
many years labouring as a Missionary was employed at 
Robbinston, and received fiom the Church and people 
an invitation to settle, and was accordingly installed in 
September of that year. The Church had then increas- 
ed to about fifteen members, and the Society presented 
a flourishing aspect. The winter following Mr, Love- 
joy spent with his family at Fairfax, and when he re- 
paired to Robbinston in the spring some difficulties ap- 
pear ed which could not well be removed, and by mutu- 
al consent the pastoral relation w^as dissolved in May 
2819. No other candidate has yet been employed at 
Robbinston. 

In the summer of 1818, two more Churches were 
organized in the County of Washington, one at East- 
port, and the other at Lubec. Moose Island, which 
constitutes the town of Eastport, has recently risen Into 
considerable importance on account of its situation for 
trade. It was incorporated in the year 1798, and by 
the sensus of 1810 contained 1511 inhabitants. This 
population was, however, of a fluctuating nature, and 
these inhabitants like the settlers in new towns generally, 
were a mixture of religious denominations, and al- 
though they had occasional preaching, yet no regular 
order was observed for several years. In the yq^ir 1818, 



COUNTY OF WASHINGTON. 209 

Pv.ev. Mighlll Blood of Bucksport being on a Missiona- 
ry tour in Washingion County spent a short time at 
Eastport and organized a small Congregational Church, 
la the spring of 1820, the Rev. Andrew Bigelow was 
ordained as an Evangelist in the University Chapel at 
Cambridge, and immediately proceeded to Eastport 
where he still resides as the Minister of that people. 

The settlement at Lubec is not of more than twenty 
years standing. 'During the late war, when the British. 
Troops took possession of Moose Island, many of the 
inhabitants removed on to the main, and the public of- 
fices were established at Lubec-Point. In the summer 
of 1818, the Rev. Elijah Kellogg of Portland la- 
boured at Lubec as a Missionary. A religious Society 
was instituted, and Mr. Kellogg organized a Church of 
eleven members. 

In the early part of the year 1821, Mr. Jonathan 
Bigelow was employed to preach at Lubec with a view 
to settlement, and the Church and Society united in call- 
ing him to the stated work of the ministry among them. 
He was ordained there on the Uth of July. 



♦ "^ince the work was put to press the connexion between Mr, Bigelow antl. 
rtiis people has been dissolved. 



S2. 



^10 CONGREGATION vLlSTg, 

CHAPTER XXL 

SOMERSET COUNTY. 

The first settlements made In this County v/ere about 
the year 1773. In the spring of that year a Mr. Wes- 
ton with his family settled in the present town of Bloom- 
field near the Meeting-house. A settlement was made 
in Norridgewock about the same time. Major Meigs 
who went up the Kennebeck with a party of troops 
during the revolutionary war, has this note in his jour- 
nal : 

" 1775. Oct. 3d Proceded up the river to Noriide- 
wock. On my way I called at a house, where I saw a 
child 1 4- months old. This is the first white child born 
in Norridgewock/' * This child was Abel Farrington, 
the son of Capt. Thomas Farringtc^n, formerly of Gro- 
ton Massachusetts. The settlements soon spread wide- 
ly in that county, which is now a flourishing region, 
and the seat of twelve Congregational Churches. The 
first of these was gathered at Bloomfield, which then 
composed part of the town of Canaan. About the close 
of the Revolutionary war the town settled rapidly, and 
among the early inhabitants was the Rev. Nathaniel 
W'hiiaker D. D. who had been recently dismissed from 
Salem in Massachusetts. In September 1784, the peo- 
ple gave Dr. Vv'hitaker a formal invitation to become 
their Minister, and at the same time, as there was no 

•* Hwt. Coll. New Series Yo). ; page 2p, 



COUNTY OF SUMERSET. Slf 

Church in the town, the people invited the Presbytery 
to come and organize one. Whether the inhabitants 
were mostly Presbyterians before, or whether this course 
was adopted because Dr. Whitaker was a Presbyterian 
is ndt now known. The presbytery to whom they ap- 
plied was the " Salem Presbytery'' then in session at 
Gray for the installation of Rev. Samuel Perley. This 
body immediately adjourned to Canaan, and installed 
Dr. Whitaker September 10, 1784.. But no Church 
was at that time organized. In January following Dr. 
Whitaker and twenty-two other males subscribed the 
usual Covenant engagements and became a Church. 
Toward the close of the year 1789, Dr. Whitaker was. 
dismissed, and left the town. 

The next Pastor of the Church was Rev. Jonathan 
Calef. He came to the town eaily in the year 1793. In 
July of that year the Church solemnly renewed their 
Covenant, and gave Mr. Calef a call. In June of the 
year followmg he was ordained, at which time the 
Church formally renounced Presbyterianism and became 
Congregational. In about five years difficulties began 
to arise ; and after taking the advice of two Councils, 
Mr. Calef requested a dismission, which was granted in 
October 1801. He was afterwards installed at Lyman 
uTth^ County of York. Soon afte'r this, the Church at 
Canaan agreed to renew their Covenant, and make cer- 
tain alterations in their confession of faith, forms of ad- 
mission &c. A Council of five Ministers with Dele» 
gates was assembled, the members were examined con- 
cerning their experience, and the Church reorganized. 



M'Sr CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

It then consisted of ten males and five females. But as 
yel, they had no settled Minister. In the beginning of 
the yrar 1808, a plan waii devised for connecting Canaan 
and Norridgewock in the settlement of Rev. Jotham 
Sewall, and in April of that year the Church and town 
voted to invite Mr. Sewall, proposing to support him 
one half of the time. But Mr. Sewall declined this in- 
vitation. In the same summer Rev. John Cayford was 
employed to preach at Canaan, and was installed there 
in September 1809. His ministry continued a little 
more than three years. He was dismissed agreeably to 
the advice of a Council in December 1812. In about 
one year after this Mr Fifield Holt, the present Minis- 
ter received an invitation to settle in that part of Canaan 
which had now become the town of Bloomfield, which, 
having accepted, he was ordained in June 1814. 

XORRIDGEWOCK. 

The second Church in the County of Somerset, is at 
Norridgewock. This town was incorporated in 1788, 
and then contained about twenty families. The first 
preacher here of whom any account is preserved was a 
Mr. Muzzy. He was hired by the inhabitants in the sum- 
mer of 1790 but had no invitation to settle. In 1793, 
Mr. Calef, afterwards the Minister of Canaan, was em-, 
ployed a sh^rt term of time, after >\hich the people were 
destitute for three years. In June 1796, Mr. Phinehas 
Randal came and preached at Norridgewock, and con- 
tinned there through the summer. A great awakening 
took place at that time in Norridgewock and the jiur^ 



(JOtTNTY OV SOMERSET. S18 

rounding region* It was supposed that about thirty 
persons were hopefully converted in the town of Nor- 
ridgewock at thi^ time. Mr. Randal continued In the 
town through the winter, and early in the year 1797, a 
town meeting was called to consult on the subject of 
his settlement, but for some reason not now known the 
people declined giving him a call. As yet there was no 
Church in the town. The inhabitants appeared to think 
it important that there should be one, and in February 
1797, the following article was incerted in the warrant 
for town meeting : — " To see if the town will vote to 
establish a Church in this town in the Congregational 
order." But when assembled the town very wisely 
voted to dismiss that article, probably feeling sensible 
that this was not the proper course to take to effect so 
desirable an end. In September of that year, Rev. Mr. 
Emerson of Georgetown, and Rev. Mr. Calef of Ca» 
naan, with Delegates from their Churches, met at 
Norrldgewock and organized a Church of twenty-fnur 
members, the fruits of the revival which took place un- 
der the preaching of Mr. Randal. 

The next year Rev. Jotham Sewall was employed by 
the people of Norrldgewock for one half the time. In 
1803, Mr. Seth Stetson, since settled at Plymouth in 
Massachusetts, was employed at Norrldgewock, and af- 
ter continuing there nearly a year received a call to set- 
tle, but declined. The town was then destitute of stat- 
ed preaching for several years. In 1809, Rev, Jotham 
Sewall was Invited to settle there but declined. After 
this the people had a variety of preachers, some who 



S14l GONGREGATIONALISTS. 

•ame as Missionaries, and some who were employed far 
short terms of time by the people. Their hopes were 
often raised with the expectation of obtaining the set- 
tlement of a Minister, and as often blasted. In Feb- 
ruary 1813, the Church and town united in presenting 
a call to Mr. Ebenezer P. Sperry to settle with them. 
The expectations of the people were highly raised, but 
they were again disappointed as Mr. Sperry declined 
their invitation. The present Pastor of the Church, 
Rev. Josiah Peet, came to Norridgewock as a Missiona- 
ry soon after the departure of Mr. Sperry. He labour- 
ed there about half the time during the winter of 1813, 
and was ordained August 4, 181i. 

The Churches at Bloomfield and Norridgewock are 
the only two In this County, which have ever enjoyed 
the ministrations of a stated Pastor. The history of 
the ten others is as follows : — 

INDUSTRY. 

The Congregational Church In this town was gath- 
ered January 21, 1802, by Rev. Jotham Sewall, and 
Mr. Samuel Sewall, a licentiate preacher, since settled at 
Sumner. It contained eleven original members. The 
present number Is about twenty. 

ANSON. 

This town lies on the Kennebeck above Norridge- 
wock, It was Incorporated in 1798. A Church of six 
members was organized here In April 1804, which has 
since received considerable accessions. 



COtJNTY OF SUMEI?SET. 2i5 

STARKS. 

This town, which lies at the mouth of Sandy River, 
was first settled about the same time with Norridge- 
wock. Col. Thomas Waugh, now deceased, was the 
first child born in the town. A small Congregational 
Church was organized here in August 1804, 

BINGHAM AND S0I,0N. 

A settlement was made at Carritunk falls not long 
after the settlement of Norridgewock, and before the 
incorporation of either Bingham or Solon a Church was 
gathered there embracing members from several of the 
surrounding settlements. This took place in July 1805. 
Rev. Alexander McLean, and Rev. Jotham Sewall were 
present on the occasion. The Church then coHsisted of 
eight members, who lived principally in the township 
since Bingham. In September of the next year, a 
Church of five members was gathered in the planta- 
tion now Solon, and thus things remained for nearly five 
years. These Churches were then both in a low state, 
and that in Solon particularly feeble. In January 1811, 
a Council was invited to advise them respecting their 
future proceedings, and by their advice a union was 
formed between them. Each Church was to retain its 
own articles of faith and Covenant, and to be ruled and 
disciplined according to them ; but for mutual assis- 
tance they were to be considered one Church. In the 
autumn of 1818, divine influences were very copiously 
afforded in these new settlements, and both Churches 
were considerably enlarged, and were consequently so 



Sl6 CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

much strengthened as to think it expedient to dissolve 
their union, ->.d each to stand alone.* This took place 
in January J? 20. 

STRONG. 

This town lies immediately above Farmington on 
both sides of Sandy River. It was called originally* 
« Readstown" from one of the first settlers. A Church 
of eleven members was gathered there in March 1810. 
It has never been greatly enlarged. 

FAIRFIELD. 

This town lies on the western bank of the Kennebeck, 
between Waterville and Bloomfield. Some settlements 
were made here about as early as those in Canaan, but 
tio Congregational Church was gathered here until May 
1815. Rev. Jotham Sewall, Rev. Fifield Hoh, and 
Rev. Josiah Peet then met there in Couitcil, and organ- 
ized a Church of eight members. 

FREEMAN. 

A small Church was gathered m this town in July 

1818. 

KINGSFIELD. 

Rev. Jotham Sewall organized a small Church here 
in September 1819. 

A half township of land in the northeasterly part ©f 
Sumerset County was granted to Monson Academy in 



*Thc Church at Bingham has rfccived an addition of twenty one mem- 

bCTs, andthe adjoining Churches of Solon and Anson, the fcrnier six and 

tlie latter nine ; makjiig thirty-six ; besides other* vho are hoped to be 

Sincere converts, that have not yet made a public profession of their faith.'* 

Report of the Maine Miss. ScfC. for i8ij». 



COUNTY OF SUMERSET. SI? 

Massachusetts. The settlement of the town is very re- 
cent. Several respectable families from Monson mov- 
ed there, among whom were several public professors of 
religion, and in the summer of 1821, they were regularly 
c>rganized as a Congregational Church. 



T 



S18 CONGIIECATIONALISTS. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

1788. 

COUNTY OF PENOBSCOT. 

l-'here was no permanent settlement made within the 
iimits of this County until a little previous to the revo- 
lutionary wax. In the year 1777, a few houses were 
scattered along on the banks of Penobscot river in the 
towns of Frankfort, Hampden, and Bangor on the one 
side, and Orrington and Brewer on the other. A Mr. 
Wheeler established hims«lf at Hampden, and the place 
was called WheelersboroUgh j but the Indians called it 
Sowerdabocoobi The first minister that ever preached 
statedly in this region was a Mr. Knowles from Cape 
Cod. How long he tarried among the people on the 
river is not known. After the peace in 1783, a spirit 
of enterprise led many respectable men to penetrate the 
wilderness, and the settlements on the Penobscot began 
to assume a more interesting appearance. In the sum* 
mer of 1788, Rev. Seth Noble was employed as a preach- 
er in the new settlements on the Penobscot. Rev. Mr. 
Little of Kennebunk being at this time employed by the 
Legislature of the Com.monwealth as a Missionary at 
the eastward, visited the Penobscot settlements, and in- 
stalled Mr. Noble as the minister of that people. It is 
d oubtful whether a Church was organized in a regular 
manner at this time. No record of such proceeding can 
now be found. Mr. Noble remained on the Penobscot 
sreveral years. He lived about half a mile above the 
Kenduskeag stream in Bangor, and preacheJ in all the 
settlements above Bucksport on both sides of the river. 



PENOBSCOT COUNTY, S19 

The connexion between him and the people was dissol- 
ved without much formality, and they were left dest,?- 
tute of regular preaching. In the summer of 1800, Mr. 
James Boyd was employed as a preacher in this region, 
and in September of that year a Church was organized 
consisting of members living in the towns of On ington, 
Hampden, and Bangor, and Mr. Boyd was ordained. 
His ministry continued but one year. His conduct was 
soon discovered to be unbecoming the Ministerial or 
Christian character ; a Council was called in Novem- 
ber !80l, and after investigating the subject Mr. Boyd 
was dismissed without a recommendation. During his 
ministry Mr. Boyd resided at Bangor, and was consid- 
ered abroad as the Minister of that tov/n. He preached 
on both sides of the river, and the Church was called the 
« Bangor Church," and the "Orrington Church," as the 
numbers on either side of the river preponderated. Af. 
ter the dismission of Mr. Boyd it was considered the Or- 
rlngton Church. For several years the people In all 
these towns were in a broken and divided state, and no 
attempts to procure stated preaching proved successful. 

In the summer of 1811, Mr. Harvey Loomis was em.- 
ployed to preach at Bangor, and in November of thai 
year a Church was organized In that town composed 
partly of members dismissed from the Orrington Church, 
and Rev. Mr. Loomis was ordained. He Is their pre, 
sent Minister. 

The year following, Mr. Thomas Williams was sent 
to the upper part of Orrington, which had then become 
the town of Brewer, as a Missionary. The people made 
proposals for his settlement, and he w^as ordained there 



S20 CONGREGATIftNALISTS. 

in January 1813, as Pastor of the old Orrington Church 
which then consisted of seventeen members. He re- 
mains there to the present time. 

Rev. Mr. Locmis and Rev. Mr. Williams are the on- 
ly settled Ministeis in the County. There are four 
more Congregational Churches, which have never yet 
enjoyed the ministrations of stated Pastors. 

The eldest of the four is in the town of Dixmont. It 
was gathered in November 1807, by Rev. Messrs. Jo- 
tham Sewall, Samuel Sewall, and Daniel Lovejoy. 

The second includes members in the towns of Gar- 
land, Foxcroft, Sangerville, and Dexter. It was organ- 
ized by Rev. John Sawyer, Rev. Mighill Blood and 
Rev. Hezekiah May in March 1810, and is generally 
known by the name of the "Garland Church." 

The third is at Hampden. It consists of about thir- 
ty members, and was gathered in March 1816. 

The other is in the plantation of Brownville, which 
lies north of the Piscataquis river. In the autumn of 
1818, Mr. Moses Welch a student in the "Maine Chari- 
ty School" who had been licensed to preach, spent a few 
weeks at this place. Divine influences were afforded-, 
and an uncommon attention to religion excited among 
the people in that and the neighbouring towns. The 
hopeful conversion of a considerable number was the ul- 
timate consequence, and in the month of August 1819, 
Rev. M, Sawyer gathered up the fruits, and established 
them as a Congregational Church. 

In leviewing the history of the Congregational Church 
in Maine we shall find some things to lament, yet many 
to excite our fervent gratitude and praise^^ 



PEXOBSCOT COUNTY^ 221 

The commencement of the eighteenth century found 
but one Church of any denomination in the State, al- 
though some parts of it had then been settled at least 
sixty years. Now there are no less than one hundred 
and thirty one Congregational Churches, besides a 
respectable number in the other denominations. These 
Churches are scattered through all the Counties in the 
State. York County contains 23, Cumberland 27, Lin* 
coin 17, Hancock 14, Washington 5, Kennebeck 13, 
Oxford 16, Somerset ] I, and Penobscot 6. Sixty-two 
of these are destitute of stated Pastors. It is difficult 
to ascertain the precise number of menibers, which these 
Churches contain. But few of them are large ; several 
of them are in a flourishing state ; some are declining, 
and some almost extinct. Most, if not all that were 
gathered previous to the year 1750, recognized the prin. 
ciples of the Westminster confession, as to doctrine, and 
the Cambridge platform as to government, admitiing 
the practice of what has been termed " the half-way 
Covenant." This practice has been discontinued m 
nearly all the Churches which formerly admitted it.—- 
Various expedients have been used to effect the change. 
Some Churches have adopted anew Confession of faith* 
and Covenant, In which the practice was not recognize 
ed ; others have voted to discontinue the practice a: 
once ; some Ministers have made the total abolition of 
the practice a condition in their terms of settlement ; 
some Churches have consented to receive to baptism the 
children of such parents as already stood in the baptis- 
mal relation, but would receive no more ; while other'^ 

T 2 



SSS CONGREGATIONALISTS. 

!vave laid aside the use of a separate baptismal Covenant, 
and have received to full standing in the Church any 
persons of moral life who wished for the privilege of 
baptism for their children. We pretend not in this 
place to discuss the merits of the question. 



EPISCOPALIANS. SS^ 

CHAPTER XXIIL 

EPISCOPALIANS. 

The principal part of the original settlers of New- 
England, especially in the Massachusetts and Plymouth 
Colonies were zealous dissenters, and, as it might natur- 
ally be supposed, adopted their cwn peculiar modes of 
worship wherever they were instrumental in planting 
Churches. A few Episcopalians however were among 
the earliest settlers of Maine. Soon after the grant of 
the town of Falmouth, which took place under the gov- 
ernment of Sir Alexander Rigby, sometime previous to 
the year 1646, he sent over Richard Gibson, an Episco- 
pal Cleigyman to reside among the people. Gibson 
remained there but a short time, and then wandered 
from them, and se.tled for a while in Portsmouth He 
exercised his ministerial functions according to the ri- 
tual, but is represented as a man exceedingly bigotted. 
Toward the close of his ministry in America he was 
summoned before the Court at Boston for scandalizing 
the government there, and denying their title ; but upon 
his submission, they discharged him without fine or 
punishment, being a siranger, and about to depart from 
the Country. * Another Clergyman of this commu- 
nion was soon after obtained for the settlement at Cape 
Elizabeth, through the influence of Robert Trelawny, 
who at that time possessed Richmond's IsUnd, and had 
Bstablished John Winter as his Agent there. This Min- 



* Belknap's New Hampshire, Also, Wihthrop's Journal p.)ge 146, an«J 
Hubbard page 3S1. 



^^^ EPISCOPALIANS. 

ister was Robert Jordan, who after his settlement mar- 
ried Winter's daughter, and is the ancester of all of the. 
tiame in this part of the country. Whether Mr. Jordan 
i-emained in the ministry until his death, does not appear; 
tior is there any record to show the state of vital relig- 
ion under his ministry. The Episcopalians, however 
were a considerable party, and much attached to their 
liturgy, and hence made great opposition to the propos- 
ed submission to Massachusetts in 1652. 

The cause of Episcopacy in Cape Elizabeth seems 
after this to have declined j for we find the people of' 
that territory uniting, in J 727, with the other part of 
Falmouth, in the settlement of Rev. Thomas Smith. 

But the principles implanted in the early settlers of 
this region, though for a while partially controlled and 
subdued by the force of circumstances, appear aever to 
have been totally eradicated. About the year 176f, a 
number of persons who were dissatisfied with the setcle- 
ment of the Rev Samuel Deane as a colleague Pastor 
with the Rev. Mr. Smith, withdrew fiom that parish, 
and invited the Rev. John Wiswall, who was then 
preaching in the parish of N'ew-Casco, to become their 
Minister. In July } 764, having completed the organiz- 
ation of their Society, they agreed to adopt the liturgy 
of the Episcopal Church ; and soon aft er ward b, agreea- 
bly to a vote of the Society, Mr. Wiswall proceeded to 
England and was admitted to Holy OrdcTs in ..he Es- 
tablished Church. Aft'r his return, which was not long 
delayed, Mr Wiswaii continued to officiate as their Pas- 
tor, to a respectable congregation, rill the year 1775; 
when, in consequence of the troubles between thisCoua- 



EPISCOPALIANS. SS3^ 

ttj and Great Britain, he left his parish and removed ta 
the Province of Nova Scotia. The Society in 1764 in 
the absence of Mr, Wiswall, erected a neat and com- 
modious Church ; which was destroyed by the British 
in the conflagration of the tOTrn in October 1775. 
Their numbers had become considerable, for we find 
upwards of 100 persons reclaiming, as members of this 
Society, the taxes assessed on them by the Rev. Mr. 
Deane's parish in 1771. Serious disputes on this sub- 
ject had aiisen betv/een the two Societies, but the con- 
flagration of the town, involving all the disputants in a 
greater calamity, seems to have terminated all their dif- 
ferences on the question of taxation. The mumbers of 
the Episcopal Church as well as the others, being dis- 
persed among the neighboring towns, do not appear to 
have assembled again till the storm of war had subsid- 
ed. 

In 1783, a number of th2 members having returned' 
from their dispersion, the Society was reorganized, and 
has continued its regular parochial esistance, with great- 
er or less degrees of prosperity, to the present tinae.— 
From 17S3 to 1787 divine service was occasionally per- 
formed, and the oruiuances administered, by the Minis* 
ters of other Churches in ihe diocese. 

In the latter year a small Church was erected on the 
site of the foimer building ; and twenty persons sub- 
scribed a weekly payment to support a Clergyman, and 
soon afterwards voted that he might preach three Sab- 
baths in each year at Windham, where some members 
of the Church resided. Mr. Thomas Oxnard, who ^va5 



!gS5 EPISCOPALIANS* 

one of the twenty, was this year engaged as a reader, 
in which capacity he officiated for sometime ; but was 
at length dismissed, in 1792. About four years after 
this, the Rev. Joseph Warren, having removed from 
Gardiner, was engaged by the Society as their stated 
Minister, and continued as such till he removed to one 
©f the Southern States in 1799. Again they were des* 
titute of the regular ministrations of the Word, for 
some time, though occasionally visited by several cler- 
gymen of the Church ; but the Society had become 
strong in numbers and wealth, and in 1802 erected a 
handsome brick building for their accommodation, call- 
ed St. Paul's Church, In 1803 the Rev. Timothy H'lU 
liard was settled as their Minister, by contiact v/ith the 
Society, in which capacity he officiated till April 1808. 
During the early part of this period the Society flour- 
ished ; but before his depaiture its prospects began to 
be obscured, and after he left it, the members were 
scattered among other societies, having no ministry of 
any kind for more than five years ; and very few v'sits 
from any Clergymen till the arrival of the Rev. Gideon 
W. Olney in June 1817. This gentleman officiated 
during the greater part of that year, and then settled at 
Gardiner. In September of the following year the Rev. 
Petous Stuyvesant Ten Broeck was engaged to preach 
on probation, and in May 1819 was instituted, being 
the first Minister ever regularly instituted as the rector 
of this Church. In this office he still continues. The 
Society was incorporated by statute March 7, 1791. 
It does not appear ever to have been favored with any 



EPISCOPALIANS. SS^ 

gjerieral outpouring of the Spirit of God ; but during 
the short term of Olney's ministry there was excited a 
considerable attention to religion, and some additions 
were made to the number of communicants, which, 
however, on the arrival of Mr. Ten Broeck did not ex- 
ceed ten or twelve, but have since been increased to 
iwenty-seven. 

Another Episcopal Church is found at Gardiner, on 
the western side of the Kennebeck, four miles below 
Hallowell, which originally took the name af St. Ann^s 
Church. The Plymouth Company had obtained a 
grant of lands on the Kennebeck river, in the reign of 
James 1st. This grant was confirmed by Charles 1st 
In 1629, and extended from Cobbisseconte river to Ne- 
quamkike, (now Norridgewock) and 15 miles on each 
side of the river. The original grants within these 
limits were under their charter. From the year 1754? to 
1760 some grants were made by this Company to Doc- 
tor Sylvester Gardiner, then of Boston, covering the 
whole township of Gardiner, then called Gardiner- 
ston. Some speedy attempts were made for a settle- 
ment, and a mill was built in 1761. But the settlement 
did not advance much for ten years. Dr. Gardiner 
Vi^as a man of wealth, and evidently very much dispos- 
ed to do good with his property ; and being himself an 
Episcopalian he laid a foundation for an establishment 
of that kind in this town. In the year 1771, the set- 
tlement began to flourish, and the building of a Church 
was commenced. The war, which soon came on, 
hindered the settlement, and the building of the house 



^8 EPISCOPALIANS. 

of worship was not completed at the decease ef Dr. 
Gardiner in 1786. But although he was thus prevent- 
ed from accomplishing all his benevolent purposes to- 
ward his new settlement during his life, yet he did not 
forget them in death, as appears from the following ex- 
tract from his ■ ^ ill : 

** I give and bequeath twenty pounds sterling to be 
«* paid annually forever in four equal quarterly pay. 
<* ments out of the rents and income of my Cobbisse- 
" conte or Gardineraton estates to the"Episcopal Minis- 
*« ter for the time being of St. Anns Church in the said 
« Gardinerston, who shall be duly presented and induct- 
" cd into the said Church ; and he shall be rightly 
<* inducted and instituted who shall be pre- 
" sented to the same by my Son William Gardiner, or 
" his heirs the perpetual successive Patrons of the said 
<'* Church, always supposing that the major part of the 
" Parishioners of the said Church duly qualified by law 
^* to vote, agree to said nomination or presentation. 
** But if the major part of the Parishioners duly quali- 
** fied shall oppose the person presented by the Patron 
** for the time being, he shall then present a second within 
** one year after such rejection, and if he also be oppos- 
'« ed in like manner he shall present a third, who shall 
«• be inducted any opposition notwithstanding. And if 
" the Patron for the time being on the vacancy of a 
" Minister of the said Church by death or removal shall 
" neglect to present within twelve months another can- 
" didate for the same, the Parishioners of the said 
** Church being convened by the Wardens, shall have 
** power by a major vote to present one themselves for 



EPISCOPALIANS. gS9 

<*that time only, the Patron's right returning again up- 
*' on the next vacancy, and the person so chosen by the 
** Parishoners shvall have a good and legal right annual- 
" ly during his ministry at the said Church to the 20 
'* sterling out of the rents and incomes of the said estate 
" to be paid by the Patron for the time being, as though 
" he had presented him himself. And furthermore, the 
<* said 20/ sterling annually or so much of it as shall 
" become due during any vacancy in the ministry of the 
*' said Church shall be paid to the next incumbent. And 
" I order and direct the said Church of St. Ann's to be 
« decently finished if not done before my death out of 
** my personal estate. I give to the Church of St. Ann's 
" in Gardinerston forever ten acres of land in Gardincrs- 
** ton to be laid out by my Son William and my two 
<* Executors hereafter mentioned, so as to include vi^ith- 
** in the bounds of said Church a Parsonage house. I 
"give and bequeath my whole Library of Books for a 
« public Library by the name of the Gardinerston Li- 
" brary, for the use of the settled Episcopal, and dis- 
<« senting Clergy and the Physicians who shall live fif- 
<•' teen miles east and west of Kennebeck River, and 
" twenty miles north and south from the Church on said 
" River, the Library al^xrays to be kej)t at Gardnerston, 
" and the Episcopal Minister there for the time being 
*' to be the Librarian, on his giving security to my son 
*' William, his heirs and successors in that estate for- 
*' ever, which if he refuses or neglect^ then some other per- 
*' son to be the Librarian who shall gfve such security, 
^' said Library to be always subject ta the rules and re- 

U 



*>30 ElMSCOYALIANS. 

" gulations hereunto annexed, and signed with my own 
« hand." 

Agreeably to the provisions of this Will the Execu- 
tors of Dr. Gardiner proceeded to finish the Chuich, 
but soon after, in 1793, it was burnt to the ground. A 
certain insane man, named Henry McCausland, believ- 
ed that he was directed by a vision from the Lord to 
make a burnt offering and a sacrifice. The burnt offer- 
ing was the Church at Gardiner to which he set fire, 
the sacilfice was supposed to have been the Minister ; 
but not finding him, he murdered a woman of the 
jsame name. He was convicted of the murder, but by 
reason of his insanity has never received sentence, and 
is still confined in AQgusta gaol. 

The Church was soon rebuilt, partly by subscription-, 
and finished by the Executors of Dr. Gardiner^s Will. 
In May 1794< Rev. Joseph \Varren, was engaged as the' 
slated minister to this congregation, and continued at 
Gardiner a little more than two years, near the close of 
the year 1796, only a few months after the departure of 
Mr. Warren, Rev. James Bowers was employed to offi- 
ciate at St. Ann*s Church, and continued hib ministra- 
tions until 1S02, when he was dismissed, and settled at 
Marblehead. In July 1803, Rev. Samuel Haskell suc- 
ceeded Mr. Bovrers, and remained at Gardiner until 
1 S09, when he removed to New-York. The Church 
was then destitute three years. In 1812, Rev. Aaron 
Humphreys was employed to preach and continued 
here two years. In 1817, Rev. Gideon W. Obey, the 
present Rector,, commenced his ministry at this place. 



EPISCOPALIANS. 23X 

and soon after was regularly instituted. The present 
number of communicants is about fifty. 

The house of worship which was erected in 1793, was 
a small wooden building of one story. A new and ele- 
gant building of stone, exhibiting a perfect model of the 
Gothic style has since been erected. — In 1779, the plan- 
tation of Gardnerston was incorporated by the name of 
Pittston, and in 1793, the persons attending St. Ann's 
Church were incorporated by the name of the Episcopal 
Society at Pittston." In 1803, that part of Pittston 
ying west of the River was incorporated into a town by 
the name of Gardiner, and the name of the Episcopal 
Society was changed accordingly. In 1819, it having 
been suggested that some confusion of names might 
hereafter arise, and it might be questioned whether <'St. 
Ann's Church'* and "the Episcopal Society" were the 
same, the names of both were changed to that of Christ- 
Church in Gardiner, Maine." 

A Parsonage house, and ten acres of land, including 
that on which the Church was built, were both appro- 
priated agreeably to the will of Dr. Gardiner, and in- 
cluding the 20/ sterling mentioned above, his heirs pay 
§124,44 annually for the support of the Episcopal 
Clergyman in that place. 

In the early settlement of the country a foundation 
Avas laid for an Episcopal Society in the town of Dres-. 
den, about ten miles below Gardiner, on the eastern, 
side of Kennebeck river. Between the years 1760 and 
1770 a building for a Church was erected by subscrip- 
tion, raised principally by the proprietors of "the Ken- 
nebeck purchase." Rev. Jacob Bailey was engaged 



:#8S EPrsGppAiJAXs. 

and continued for a short time to officiate as the Minis-. 
ter. When the revolutionary war commenced Mr. Bai- 
ley left the country, and removed to A nnapolis Royal, 
in Nova Scotia, and did not return. After the peace in 
i783, prayers were read for one or two year^, but that 
house of worship went to ruin, and the Congregation 
were scattered. The original proprietors of the land 
made a grant of 1 00 acres to the Episcopal Church un- 
der certain conditions, which not being complied with 
it reverted to them ; but in closing their concerns the 
proprietors vested the same 100 acres of land in three 
Trustees with liberty to sell it, and apply the proceeds 
to the use of an Episcopal Minister should one ever be 
settled there, and in the mean time to the use of a Con- 
gregational Minister. 



KOMAN CA llI6LIC^?. ^33 

CHAPTER XXIY. 

r.OMAX CATHOLICS. 

Tour meeLings oftLIs denomination are held in Maine;- 
two among the remains of the Passamaquoddy and Pe- 
nobscot Indians, one at New-Castle, and one at White- 
field, in Lincoln County. 

The Indian Tribes were early visited by French 
Missionaries, and became Catholics. Sometime in the 
reign of Louis Hth of France, a French Architect came 
over from that country, and erected- a place for pubic 
worship in Indian Old Town, an Island in the Pencb- 
scot above the head of tide waters, which was then, and 
still Is, considered the head quarters of the Penobscot 
Tribe. This Church was burnt by the Anglo-Amerir 
cans in the "old French war," because the Indians ad- 
hered to the French, to whom they have ever been 
friendly ; and it is said that the Governor or King of 
this tribe we^rs to this day, as a badge of honour, a 
medal with the likeness of Louis 14th. 

Sebastian Ralle, or Rasles, was a Missionary from th^ 
Society of the Jesuits to the Indians of North-America. 
He came into Maine in the year 1689, and was connec- 
ted with the Eastern Indians, particularly with the 
Norridgewock Tribe. The principal village belonging 
to this Tribe was within the limits of the present town 
of Norridgewock. Here Father Ralle resided for about 
twenty six years, accompaningthe Tribe however, in ma- 
ny of their wars, and in many of their wanderings. 
They locked up to him as a Father, and he v/as greatly 
U2 



S34< ROMAN CATHOLICS. 

interested for them But the English viewed him wltb 
a jealous eye. They supposed he was constantly insti- 
gating the Savages to those depredations which kept the 
country in a state of alarm. The truth of this cannot 
now be ascertained. On this ground however, an at- 
tempt was made in 1721 by Col. Thomas Westbrook 
and his troops to seize him. They arrived at the vil- 
lage undiacoveied ; but before they could surround the 
house, Ralle escaped to the woods. This attempt to 
seize their spiritual Father provoked the Indians to re- 
taliate severely, and a war ensued. During this strug- 
gle, on the 2'id of August 1724, a party of men sur- 
prized the Indian village at Norridgewock, killed the 
Priest with about thirty others, burnt the Church, and 
destroyed the village. The account of this affair is va- 
riously related by the French and Enghsh historians, 
and the blame sometimes charged on the Americaa 
parly, and sometimes on Ralle and the Indians * Let 
thib be as it may, the fact of his having devoted his sur 
per ior talents to the instruction of the rude children of 
the wilaerness ; consenting to spend his days in the 
depths of the forest, in unrepining c(^nformity to savagQ 
cust( ms, and modes of life ; enduring such i rivations, 
hardships, and fatigues as he did by right, and day in 
the dischaige of his mission, proves him to have beei). 
a very superior man, and well entitled to the admiration 

* The reader wili find both sides of this mattei stated at some length is 
Hutchinson s Hist. Massachusetts Vol. 2, page 309—3 ij* 



ROMAN CATHOLICS. ^0 

of all. * The Indian tribes soon melted away before 
the English settlements, and we hear but little more of 
them. 

The remains of the Penobscot Tribes, are still left in- 
Maine. About 350 souls are in the first of these, and 
about 400 in the last. Little is known of their relig- 
ious affairs until the year 1797, when both Tribes were 
visited by Right Rev. Bishop Cheverus of Bost^-n — 
Two years after this Rev. James R. Romagni, a native 
of France took the pastoral care of both of these Tribes> 
in which station he continued several years, and at length 
returned to France, on account of ill health, in 1819. 
Rev. Sephen Cailleawx succeeded Mr. Romagni, and is 
the present Minister. He also is a native of France, ot 
respectable family connexions, and was bprn and educa- 
ted in the City of Paris. 

The Catholic Societies in New-Castle and Whitefield 
are of a little more than twenty years standing. Seven 
families had removed into this country, mostly Irom 
Ireland, and in 1798, Bishop Cheverus first visited the 
place. He preached in a barn belonging to Hon. Mat- 
thew Cottiill, at Daniari^cotta Bridge, and celebrated 
mass in his house. The year following a store was fit- 
ted up and used as a Chapel until the year 1807, when 
a neat commodious brick Church was built f The 



# Many interestin particulars respecting Father f'alie may be found ia.a 
.sketcli of his character in the Mass- Hist. Collections, Vol. S, page 259, of 
the New Series. 

t The Church cost 4,000 dollars, of which sum 1,431 dolls, was r.vlst^d by- 
subscription and the remainder v»as paid by Messrs. Kavajiafh and Cottt?.! 
of New-Castle. 



^6 ROMAN CATHOLICS.. 

Catholic Society at Whitefield is of more recent date. 
A few years since a wooden building was erected for a 
place of public worship there, partly by the voluntary- 
aids of the brethren, and partly by the private property 
of Bishop Cheverus, and other Catholic Clergymen. 

The members of these two Societies are dispersed 
throughout Lincoln County, but they generally endeav- 
our on the great festival of the Church to attend public 
worship either at New-Castk or Whitefield. The pi e- 
cise number of souls in these two Societies is unknown f 
About 108 families are connected with them. 

The preseat Pastor of these Churches is Rev. Dennis 
Ryan, a native of Ireland, who was ordained a Priest 
in Boston by Bishop Cheverus in 1818, and since that 
time has resided in New-Castle. 

The Catholic Societies in Maine are in the "Eastera 
Diocese, now under the spiritual jurisdiction of Rt. Rev. 
John Cheverus of Boston. This Prelate was born at 
Mayenne in the Province of Maine in France, Jan. 28, 
1768, was educated at the Sorbonne in Paris, and was 
there ordained a Priest Dec. 18, 1790. In the year 
1791, having refused, with most of the Clergy of France 
to take the oath required by the Government, he was 
obliged to leave his native country, which he did in the 
following year after an imprisonment of some months 
in one of the dungeons of Paris. He went over to 
England where he remained until July 1796, Vvhen he 



t The accounts received ^ncctning the numbers in tlie Catholic Socie- 
ties are various. Someplace thsjn at 500 each, and others at 130 in New, 
Castle and 2C0 at Whitefield, 



ROMAN CATHOLICS. ^37 

♦mbarked lor America. On his arrival in this country- 
he assisted Rev. Dr. Matignon for several years in min- 
istering to the Catholic Chuich in Boston, and on the 
first of November 1810, he was concecrated Bishop of 
the Diocese of Massachusetts by the late Most Rev. 
Archbishop Carroll of Baltimore j which office, he still 
sustainjs. 



S38 CALVINISTIC BAPTISTS. 

CHAPTEIl XXV. 

CALVINISTIC BAPTISTS. 

Some Baptists were among the early settlers of New- 
England. But they were few, their tenets were unpop- 
ular, it was an age of persecution, and for more than 
forty yeais after the settlement of Plymouth no Church 
of this denomination was constituted in Massachusetts. 
In 1654', President Dunster of Harvard College became 
a Baptist, and soon after removed to Scituate where he 
died in 1659. Four years after this a Baptist Church was 
gathered at Rehcboth, and in May 1665, one was form- 
ed at Charlestown. At the time of its organization it 
consisted of nine persons, viz. Thomas Gould and 
Thomas Osborn, who had previously belonged to the 
Congregational Church in Charlestown, Richard Good- 
all, a member of a Baptist Church in London, William 
Turner and Robert Lambert, members of a Baptist 
Church in Dartmouth (Eng.) Edward Drinker and John 
George, who had never before united with any Church, 
and two females — viz. Mary Goodall, and Mary New- 
el.* Thomas Gould, one of the members became the 
Pastor of this new Church. Much difficulty ensued be- 
tween them and the Congregationalists. ftould and 
Osborne were excommunicated from the Church to 
which they had formerly belonged, and finally Gould 
and Turner were imprisoned for more than a year. On 
being liberated Mr. Gould removed his family to Nod- 
dle's Island in Boston harbour, and the meetings of the 
Church were held at his house for several years. This . 

•Backus vol'. i.TafcC JS6. 



CALVINISTIC BAPTISTS. 239 

Church had now Increased considerably, insomuch that 
in February 1677 they agreed to divide into two Church- 
es, but on farther consideration this idea was abandon- 
ed, a Meeting-house was built in Boston, and Mr. Gould 
being dead, Rev. John Russell was ordained Pastor of 
the Church July 28, 1679. * We have now arrived at 
the time when a Baptist establishment was first made in 
then Province of Maine. In 1681, a number of per- 
sons then living in Kittery, opposite to Portsmouth, em- 
braced the peculiar sentiments of the Baptists, and were 
baptized. William Screven, a gifted brother among 
them was selected by the others as a teacher, and sent 
to Boston with a hcense in the following terms:*—" To 
" all whom it may concern : these are to certify, that 
" our beloved brother Willian Screven is a member in 
" communion with us, and having had trial of his gifts 
<* among us, and finding him to be a man whom God 
" hath qualified and furnished with the gifts of his holy 
<* spirit and gracfe, enabling him to open and apply the 
" word of God, which through the blessing of the Lord 
" Jesus may be useful in his hand, for the begetting and 
" building up of fouls in the knowledge of God, d© 
*^ therefore appoint, approve and encourage him, to ei- 
" ercife his gifts in the place where he l|Ves, or elsewhere 
" as the providence of God may caft him ; and fo the 
" Lord help him to eye his glory in all things, and to 
«•' walk humbly in the fear of his name." 

Signed by us in behalf of the rest, 

Isaac Hull, 
--- — • — John Farnum.- 

♦ PackCo vo'., I, page 480. 



^46 CALVINISTIC BAPTISTS. 

** But," says Mr. Backus, their historian, "no sooner 
was this design heard of in their town than Mr. Wood- 
bridge the Minister, and Hucke the magistrate began to 
bestir thamselves, and the magistrate summoned those 
people before him who had been to the Baptist meet- 
ings, and threatened them with a fine of live shillings 
for every such offence for the future."* During the 
same summer the General Court for the Province of 
Maine undertook to crush this meeting, and summoned 
Mr. Screven before them. Their record of the transac- 
tion is as follows : — "William Screven appearing before 
<* this Court, and being convicted of the contempt of his 
** Majesty's authority, and refusing to submit himself to 
*^^ the sentence of the Court, prohibiting his public preach- 
"ing, and upon examination before the Court, declaring 
« his resolution still to persist therein, the Court tendered 
<* him liberty to return home to his family, in case he 
« would forbear such turbulent practices and amend for 
"the future ; but he refusing, the Ctourt sentenced him 
" to give bond for his good behaviour, and to forbear 
" such contentious behaviour for the future, and the de- 
<'linquentto stand committed until tlie judgment of 
« tliis Court be fulfilled" 

"Verai Copia transcribed, and with the records com- 
" pared this 17th of August 1682. 

"Per Edward Rish worth, Recorder.f 
In addition to this, the Court ordered that Mr. Scre- 
ven should not, on any pretence whatever, have any pri- 
vate religious exercise at his own house or elsewhere on 



♦ History of ilic Baptists p. 505. 

f Pravince records cited by Backus page C04. 



CALVINISTIC BAPTISTS. 24:1 

the Sabbath, fineing him at the same time ten pounds for 
former oiFences. 

Not discouraged at these oppressive measures, the 
brethren took measures for their regular estabhshment 
as a Church, and, with the assistance of Eldar Hull, 
and some others from Boston, they were embodied as a 
Baptist Church Sept. 25, 1682. The original Covenant 
was signed by William Screven, Elder, Humphrey 
Churchwood, deacon, and Robert Williams, John Mor- 
gandy, Richard Cutt, Timothy Davis, Leonard Drown, 
William Adams, Humprey Azell, George Litten, and 
a number of females. But the oppressive measures of 
the government against them induced this infant Church 
to remove their habitation in about one year after their 
organization. Rev. Mr. Screven, and a considerable 
part of his Church took shipping, and sailing southward 
settled on Cooper river in South Carolina, at a planta- 
tion then called Sumnerton, at no great distance from 
the place where Charleston now stands. Here the com- 
pany were formed into a Church by Mr. Screven, who 
became their Pastor. They were soon joined by several 
from England, and became a flourishing Society. * 

Mr. Screven was a native of England born in 1629. 
He married Bridget Cutts, at Kittery, by whom he had 
eleven children. He was a good English scholar, and 
emenent for piety and usefulness. After his removal to 
South Carolina he was solicited to take the pastoral care 
of the Baptist Church in Boston which he declined.-c 



* Bea^ct>s Hist.of tlic Biptists Tol. », page izcr. 



^'1% CALVINISTIC BAPTISTS, 

In the latter part of his life he removed to Georgetown, 
about 60 miles north of Charleston, where he died in 
peace, in 1713, at the advanced age of 84" years. Pie 
is said to have been the original proprietor of the land 
on which Georgetov^^n is built. * 

After this ancient Church at KIttery was scattered we 
hear no more of the Baptist denomination in Maine for 
nearly ninety years. About the year 1767, there was 
some special attention to religion in that part of Ber- 
wick in the County of York called "Great Hill." Rev. 
Mr. Smith of Haverhill visited the converts, who became 
Baptists, and were in the year following constituted as 
a Baptist Church, and soon had Rev. William Hooper 
set over them as a Pastor. In the same year a Church 
was gathered at Madbury in New»Hampshire, and a* 
bout four years after Baptist Churches were also consti- 
tuted in Gilmantown in New-Hampshire, and Sanford 
in Maine. In 1776, the two Churches of Berwick and 
Sanford with some Churches in New-Hampshire com- 
menced a meeting which they called a conference. This 
was the beginning of what has since been called the 
"New-Hampshire Association." which included the 
County of York in Maine. 

In 1780, a Baptist Church was gathered in the north- 
westerly part of Wells, and Rev. Nathaniel Lord was 
ordained its Pastor. He was afterwards settled at Ber- 
wick, and the present Pastor of the Chtirch, Rev, Joseph 
Eaton, was ordained in his stead. The year following 



♦ Benedict's Hist, of the Biiiists Vol. 4, page 1*3* 



CALViNISTlC BAPTIST^. 248 

a Church of this denomination was organized at Shap- 
leigh, and another at Lyman in 1782. Three years af- 
ter this these Churches, with some in New-Hampshire, 
were established as an Association, being the first in the 

State. 

In the year 178(2, a man who lived in the new coun- 
try near Kennebeck liver was converted to the truth as 
it is in Jesus, and became a Baptist. This was the com- 
mencement of a considerable revival of religion in that 
region through the following year, and in May 17S'H 
Churches were formed in Bowdoinham and Thomaston, 
A Church was gathered also at Harpswell in January 
of the following year. * These three Churches began 
an Association in 1787, which in three years increased 
to six Churches, and 317 members. This was the be- 
ginning of the Bowdoinham Association. 

In 1804, the Bowdoinham Associaton had increased 
to forty-eight Churches ; but these being scattered over 
a great extent of territory, a division was thought ad- 
visable, and was amicably eifected. The new body 
took the name of the Lincoln Association, which then 
consisted of seventeen Churches, and extended its bounds 
beyond the Penobscot river, f 

By the year 18 1 0, the Bowdoinham Association had 
again become too large to meet with convenience in one 
body, and another division was effected j the Churches 
westward of Androscoggin rivei becommg a new body,, 
called Cumberland Association § 

*Backus vol- 3, page ii6. 

i Benedict Vol. i, page 51 T. \ Ibid page 311. 



S44 GALVINISTIC BAPTISTS. 

In the year 1818, the Churches lying eastward of 
Penobscot river finding it inconventient to attend the 
meetings of the Lincoln A ssociation, held a meeting at 
Blue Hill on the 12th of November in that year, and 
organized themselves as a new body called the Eastern 
Association, 

Thus in fifty years since the establishment of the 
Baptist Church in Berwick, the members of this denom- 
ination have spread themselves through the State to the 
Slumber of one hundred and seventy-five Churches ; di- 
vided among the Counties in the following manner, 
York 23, Cumberland 11, Lincoln 39, Hancock 20, 
Washington 4, Kennebeck 25, Oxford 21, Somerset 15, 
Penobscot 7 ; which according to their annual minutes 
of 1820, contained 9373 members. These Churches 
were supplied in the same year by 109 ordained minis- 
ters, and 13 Licentiates. 

A more particular account of the several Baptist 
Churches in Maine cannot well be inserted in these 
sketches. The greater part of them have been gather- 
ed with'U thirty years past, and their ministers often re- 
moving from one Church to another without many 
ecclesiastical formalities it is attended with considerable 
difficulty to trace them. * 



« S«c Appendix No. Si 



FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. §4.7 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. 

Before entering distinctly on the history of this de; 
nomination of Christians it will be necessary for the in- 
formation of the common readers to explain some ©f 
their peculiar customs, particularly as it regards the sev- 
eral meetings held among them.. 

Meetings for worship are held as other Christians hold 
meetings, on the first day of the week, and at other times 
as opportunities offer, and circumstances permit. These 
meetings are attended by all the Friends living in the 
vicinity. They are sometimes kept in families, agreea- 
bly to the advice of the yearly meeting in London 
1696 — « Agreed, that friends that live distant from 
" meetings, be reminded to keep meetings in their fam- 
" ilies, to wait upon God, that their children and families 
" may come to be seasoned in their spirits by the truth 
*' and the Lord's power, and that they may have his 
" blessing upon their families." * Tor the regular ad- 
ministration of Discipline and other helps, the Friends 
have established four other kinds of meetings, viz. — 
Preparative meetings. Monthly meetings, Qarterly meet- 
ings, and Yearly meetings. In these meetings worship 
is first attended to and then business. The Preparative 
meeting consists of Friends belonging to one or more 
meetings for worship, f This is a meeting before whichu 



♦ Rules of Discipline of the Yearly meeting page 73.- 
% Ibid page 41. 

V2 



S4S 



FRIExVDS, OR QUAKERS. 



all matters of business are first brought, and its only 
authority is to judge of the propriety of carrying the 
business in question lo a higher tribunal, and to see that 
It is reduced to proper form J in order to prevent any 
irregularities that mtght otherwise occur. The author- 
ity for holding it is granted by some Monthly meeting 
to which it is accountable. Each Monthly meeting is 
required to choose two or more sober and judicious 
males, and two or more females to be overseers in each 
preparative meeting, who are to render an account to 
the monthly meeting at least once a quarter. * The 
monthly meeting is thus described by Clarkson. " The 
'* Quakers usually divide a county into a number of 
** parts according to the Quaker population of it. In 
** each of these divisions there are usually several Meet- 
'* in^-houses, and those have their several Congregations 
'^ attached to them. One Meeting-house, however, in 
** each division, is usually fixed upon for transacting the 
** business of all the Congregations that are within it ; 
'^ or, for holding these monthly Courts. The different 
** Congregations, each of them, appoint a set of depa» 
^^ ties once a month, which deputies are of both sexes, 
^* to repair to the Meeting-house, which has been assign- 
" ed them- These deputies are all of them previously 
»'< instructed in the matters belonging to the Congrega- 
** tions which they respectively represent. When they 
^* are collected at the Meeting-house, a meeting for wor- 
*• ship takes place. AU persons both men and wome^a 



« Rttks of Discipline of the Yearly meeting page 4^. 



FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. S4<7 

'* attend together. But when this meeting Is over, they 
** separate into different apartments for the purposes of 
" discipline ; the men to transact by themselves the busi» 
" ness of the men, and of their own district, the women 
" to transact that which is more limited, namely such 
" as belongs to their own sex." § The Friend's Quar- 
terly meeting is thus described by the same author 

** The Quarterly meeting of the Quakers, which comes 
*« next in order, is much more nimierously attended than 
** the monthly. The monthly, as we have just seen, su- 
" perintend the concerns of a few Congregations or 
** particular meetings which were contained in a small 
" division of th« county. The Quarterly meeting, on 
" the other hand, superintends the concerns of all the 
" monthly meetings '*in the county at large. Two or 
"more persons of each sex are generally deputed from 
« each monthly meeting, having previously understood 
** at the monthly meeting where they were chosen all the 
" matters which the discipline required them to know 
" relative to the atate and condition of their constituents. 
" When all of them are assembled, nearly the same cus<% 
" tom obtains at the quarterly, as has been described at 
" the monthly meeting *' f At the quarterly meeting* 
a number of important queiies are proposed by the 
Clerk, and answered by the deputies in order, relative to 
the state of the several Societies and the conduct of the 
members. The Yearly meeting is possessed of a higher 



§ •' P ertraiture of Quakerism'* Vol. I, pag« i07 and atS. 
•} Ibid p.ge ai3 and iis» 



gl8 FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. 

and wider jurisdiction than either of the others. "Thi?- 
meeting," says Clarkson, <' does not take cognizance of 
** the conduct of particular or of monthly meetings, 
** but, at one general view, of the state and conduct of 
** the members of each quarterly meeting, in order to 
" form a judgment of the general state of the whole."* 
'* The quarterly meetings are careful annually to depute 
" such Friends to attend the service of the Yearly meet- 
" ing, as are men fearing God, of good conversation,. 
" weighty spirits, prudent and sincere, well acquainted 
" with the affairs of truth, and diligent attenders of 
"meetings for discipline at home; whose practice and 
" conversation is answerable to the testamony they pro- 
" fess to bear ; men known to be faithful and conscl- 
" entious." f The state of the^^ociety at large is here 
ascertained: written evidences are sent to different 
branches, if needful : whole days are devoted to busi- 
ness, with occasional intervals for public worship. 1 hus 
the meetings of the Friends rise in rank from one to 
another, and viewed as a whole present perhaps as per- 
fect a system of discipline as can be found in any de- 
nomination; 

Having made these preliminary remarks, we proceed 
to the History of this people. It will perhaps be in- 
teresting to many readers if we take a summary view 
of the origin, and early History of the Friends, with 



♦ " Portraiture of Qt^iakerism" Vol. i.pige izi. 

i Rules of discipline 01 the Yearly nictiiiig F<ige 153. It would be well if 
all our Churches would observe the same rules in the selection of Delegates 
•a ail occations. 



FRIENDS^ OR QUAKERS. S49 

particular reference to New-England. George Fox, 
who was bom at Drayton in Leicestershire in July IGZ^, 
stands at the head of this denomination. When he was 
quite young he embraced the principles now held by the 
Friends, and at the age of twenty-three he began to 
preach puWicly the doctrines he had embraced. § In 
seven years from this time converts to these principles 
had increased to such a degree that no less than sixty 
ministers of the word in this communion were raised up 
within the Kingdom of Great Britain. || Before the 
close of that century the Friends had found adherents in 
most of the "Europf an Kingdoms, as well as in America. 
Meetings had been established in several of the coun- 
tries, and their ministers w^th a zeal which nothing 
earthly could subdue, travelled from kingdom to king- 
dom to make known their faith. With a constancy not 
surpassed in modern tim.es they bore the most cruel 
mockings and scourgings in almost every country they 
entered. Public sentiment was against them, it was an 
age of persecution, and they were made the victims. — 
It was in the month of July 1656, that the Friends came 
first to New-England. Two women of this denomina- 
tion, viz. Mary Fisher, and Ann Austin arrived at Boston 
at that time, but at first were not permitted t© land. 
Their books to the number of about one hundred were 
taken from them and burnt in the market place. They 
were then taken on shore and thrown into prison, wher^ 



^ Scwel'g Hist, of the Qnakers Vol. i, page 24, 
II Ibid page 148. 



950 FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. 

they would probably have perished had it not been for 
the kindness of Nicholas Upshal a member of the 
Church in Boston who paid the jailor for their board, 
until they were taken away, and sent back to England,* 
Several others came over soon after, and were sent back 
in the same manner, and a law was passed at Boston for- 
bidding Masters of vessels from bringing any Quakeis 
within the jurisdiction under heavy penalties.f 

These measures however did not deter the Quakers 
from coming into America. Yet they were cruelly 
persecuted in many places. As yet their lives were 
spared. But 1659 William Robinson, Marmaduke 
Stevenson, and Mary Dyer were put to death in Bos- 
ton. They had been banished under pain of deathi 

♦Sewel's History vol. i,page 294, also Hutchinson's Hist. Mafs. vol. i, p. 
1 96-199 This same Mary Fisher says Scwcl, afterwards travelled into Tur- 
key, and at Adrianople had an interview with the Turkish Sultan Mahomet 
4th who treated her very kindly, heard patiently what she had to say, aind 
then offered her a guard to Constantinople. She returned in safety to En- 
gland. 

•fin October 1656,3 law was passed In Massachusetts laying a penalty of 
100/ upon the Master of any vessel who should bring a known Quaker into 
any part of the colony, and requiring him to give security to carry them 
back again, that the Quaker should be sent to the house of correction, and 
whii>ped twenty stripes, and afterwards kept to hard labour until transporta- 
tion. They also laid a penalty of five pounds for importing, and the like 
for dispersing Quaker books, and ^severe penalties for defending their opin- 
ions. And the next year an additional law was made by which all persons 
were subjected to the penalty of 40 shillings for every hours entertainment 
given to any known Quaker, and any Quaker after the first conviction if a 
nian, was to lose an ear, and the second time the other, a woman each 
time to be severely whipped, and the third time man or woman to have 
«Ueir tongues bored through with a red hot iron, and every (J^akci wko 



FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. ^6i 

and returning thither were executed. $ After this some 
others were executed, and some imprisoned in Boston 
until September 1661, when by order of Charles second 
they were all set at liberty. 

As yet no regular meetings of friends had been es- 
tablished in New-England. The prosecution had been 
sharp against them, and they had not congregated In any 
one place. The lenient act of Charles did not allow the 
Friends much respite. The oppressive spirit of the 
times soon made its appearance again, and the Friends 
'were again the victims. In 1662, three females had 
tiavelled eastward as far as Dover in New-Hampshire, 
disseminating their opinions. Here they were seized by 
order of Col. Waldron, and after being most cruelly 
whipped were sent westward with the following order : 

"To the Constables of Dover, Hampton, Salisbury, 
«* Newbury, Rowley, Ipswich, Winham, Linn, Boston, 
** Roxbury, Dedham, and until these vagabond Qua- 
<^ kers are out of this jurisdiction : 

"You, and every of you, are required in the 
« king's majesty's name, to take these vagabond Qua« 

should become such in the c olony, was subjected to the like punishmentsy 
In May 1658, a penalty xif ten shillings was laid on every person present at 
a Quaker's meeting, and 5/ upon every one speaking at such meeting. 

Hutchinson vol, i.page 197. 
It is not strange that the QjJakcrs increased and multiplied greatly under 
such treatment. Exodus i, iz. 

{*.. The Court," says Hutchinson, " thought it advisable to publish a vin- 
dication of their proceedings ; they urge the example of England in the pro- 
vision made against the Jesuits, which might have some weight against a 
charge brouijht from thence, but in every other part of their vindication, as 
may well be supposed from the nature of the thing, there is but the bar* 
%adow of reaaon." Hist. Mass. Vol. i, page iOo, 



35S FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS, 

*' kers, Anne Coleman, MaryTomkins, and Alice Am- 
«« brose, and make them fast to the cart's tail, and dri- 
** ving the cart through your several towns to whip 
" them upon their naked backs, not exceeding ten stripes 
'^^ apiece on each of them, in each town ; and so to con- 
*« vey them from Constable to Constable, till they are 
"out of tkis jurisdiction, as you will answer it at your 
" peril ; and this shall be your warrant. 

Per me Richard Walden/'J 

«» At Dover dated Dec. 22, 1662" 

This cruel order was executed in the three first na- 
med towns, but at Salisbury they were set at liberty by 
Walter Barefoot, who took them from the Constable 
under pretence of delivering them to the Constable of 
Newbury. The Friends, as a people, suffered many 
more hardships both in Europe and America. But the 
day of their deliverance drew nigh. 

Daring the reigns of James 2nd and of William 
and Mary in Great Britain several acts of a tolerant 
nature were passed respecting the Quakers, the influence 
of which was felt in America. Men began to see that 
the rights of conscience were to be respected, and that 
open persecution was no way to propagate the religion 
of the Prince of Peace. 

These few hints respecting the first entrance of the 
Quakers into New-England seemed necessary to pre- 
pare the way for an account of their establishment in 
Maine, The first meeting of Friend^ ever held within 
the limits of this State, was in the upper part of York 
toward the last of December 1662, by Anne Coleman, 

^ SewcU Vol, X, page 613, 



I'llIENDS, OR QUAKERS. S58 

Mary Tompkins, and Alice Ambrose, whose cruel suf- 
ferings have just been stated, as also the manner of 
their being liberated at Salisbury. Sevvel thus relates 
the fact : " These three women being thus unexpected- 
•* ly released, went to New-Ouechawanah, where they 
" had a meeting, and Shubal Drummer, the Priest of 
" the place, came also thither, and sate quiet. And the 
" meeting being ended, he stood up, and said, Good 
'' women, ye have spoken well and prayed well ; pray 
" what is your rule ? They answering — The Spirit of 
" God is our rule, and it ought to be thine, and all men's 
" to walk by ; he replied it is not my rule, nor I hope 
" ever shall be. A clear evidence," adds this author, 
" how prejudice may bias even discreet people." * The 
place where this meeting was held, the above cited au- 
thor calls NeW'Qjtiechawanah. He probably meant 
Newichawanick, w^hich Is the Indian name of the river 
running through Berwick over Doughty's falls. This 
river runs near to York, and it is quite probable that all 
the near settlements were called by the name of the 
river. Rev. Shubael Dummer was the Minister of 
Yoi k at that time, a.^'.d was undoubtedly the person re- 
ferred to in the above extract. 

No other account can be found of any other meeting 
of Friends in Maine for more than sixty years. The 
first meeting for worship established here v/as in October 
1730. At that tjme a few families of Friends were 
found in Kittery, now Eliot, and a regular meeting for 
worship established. It was connected witli Dover 

*Hist, Quakers voi, r— page 615. 

w 



.^54 PRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. 

monthly meeting, and stood alone in this State for more 
than ten yeais. In the spring of 174-2, this little meet- 
ing was visited by John Churchman, a celebrated Min- 
ister of the Society belonging to Pennsylvania. While 
he remained at Kittery a circumstance occurred which 
he thus relates in his journal : — " On third day morn- 
<* ing as I lay in my bed, I felt my mind drawn towards 
" the northwest, which was an exercise to me, for I had 
** before thought myself at liberty to return toward Bos- 
<* ton. I arose about sunrise, and asked the friend 
« where I lodged whether ahy friends lived at a dis- 
" tance on that quartet, for that I had a draft that way» 
/* He answered no, and asked how far I thought to go. 
" I told him it did not seem to me to be ihore than teil 
** miles. He said there was a people aboHt eight miles 
" distant, which he supposed was the place to which I 
** felt the draft. I desired him to send a lad with a 
'^ few lines to some person that he knew to inform them 
** that a stranger would be glad to have a meeting a- 
" mong them at the eleventh hour of that day if they 
** were free to grant it ; which he did, and with his wife 
" went with me, so that we got to the place near the 
«« time proposed, and found a considerable gathering of 
*? people, that I wondered how it could be in so short a 
" time, not more than three hours warning : they were 
^ preparing seats by laying boards on blocks in a pretty 
« large new house, and soon sat down in an orderly 
« manner," * This meeting must have been held at 
South Berwick, and the " large new house"-/-was prob- 

*Life atid trave'Is of John ChurAman page 5'/ 



FRIENDS, 0R QOAKSUS. ^55 

ably the hoHse of the late Hon. Humphrey Chadbourn, 
which is still standing. In the next year, 1743, a meet- 
ing for worship was set up in Falmouth, where a few 
families of Friends had settled ; and in seven years 
after a meeting was regularly established in Berwick, a 
Meeting-house built, and a preparative granted there. 
Dover monthly meeting, to which the Friends in Maine 
had hitherto belonged, now extended its limits, and for 
the convenience of the members in Maine, held thiee 
meetings in a year at Berwick, and so continued for sev- 
eral years. This arrangeraent took place in 1151. A 
little previous to this time a few families of Friends had 
settled in that part of North- Yarmouth now Harpswellj 
and a meeting for v^orship was statedly holden there. 
To accommodate these, in 1751, a monthly meeting- 
was established at Falmouth composed of members 
from Harpswell and Falmouth, and held alternately at 
each place. This arrangement continued for twenty 
years, when the Friends principally Harpswell to the 
plantation of Royalstown, now Durham, and the meet 
ing was discontinued at Harpswell, and holden at Dur- 
ham. The connexion in the monthly meeting between 
Falmouth and Durham continued until the year 1790 
when a division was agreed on, and a monthly meeting 
established at Durham. 

The meeting at Berwick continued its particular con> 
nexion with Dover monthly meeting until the year 
1802, when a separate monthly meeting was establish- 
ed there, the members of Eliot and Berwick meetings 
constituting the »ame. A monthly meeting has never 



^50 FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. 

been granted at Eliot, although that was the first meet- 
ing established In the State. They have a preparative 
meeting, granted in 1764, and a Meetlng-hotise built 
live years after that time. 

The next meeting of Friends for worship was 
established in Windham in the year 1779. In 1793, ^ 
preparative meeting was granted at the same place, and 
the Society continuing to increase in 1802, a monthly 
meeting was settled there. 

In 1780, a meeting for worship commenced in Va^- 
salborough, on the eastern side of Kennebeck river. — 
The country was settling rapidly, many embraced the 
peculiar tenets of the Society, and the meeting at Vas- 
salborough was soen enlarged. In four years from 
their first assembling for worship a preparative meeting 
was held there, and in 1787, a monthly meeting was es- 
ablished in that place. This eaeeting then included all 
the Friends in the Kennebeck country, there being no 
other meeting nearer than Durham in Cumberland 
County. The chief settlem.ent of the Friends in Vas* 
salborough was on the eaetern bank of the river ; but 
in a few years a considerable settlement was made in the 
easterly part of the town, around " twelve mile pond," 
and toward the close of the year 1 797, it was found ex- 
pedient to establish a meeting for worsh'p there. In 
tjie summer following a Meeting-house was built. It is 
called the " East Pond meeting,'* to distinguish it from 
what is termed the ** River meetirg." In two ^ ears 
after a preparative meeting was granted at that p ace, 
and the Vassalbrvough monthly meeting is now lield 
there half the time. 



OR QUAKERS. S57 

In six years after the establishment of the Friends 
meeting at Vass*lbor ough it was found expedient to accom- 
modace some families living in Fairfield on the western 
side of the Kennebeck with a meeting for worship a- 
moag themselves. In five years after this a prepara- 
tive meeting was held there, and in 1794-, a Meeting- 
house built. The year following, similar measures 
were commenced in the town of Sidney, which lies op- 
posite to VassalbouroKgh on the western banK of the 
river, and in 1800, a preparative meeting was granted 
to them also. In 1 802, a monthly meeting was estab- 
lished for the accommodation of the Friends in Sidney 
and Fairfield to be called " Sidney monthly meeting," 
and holden alternately at each place. With this meet- 
ing was connected also a meeting which had been es- 
tablished for worship in Green and Leeds in the year 
1794, and where a preparative meeting had been grant- 
ed two years after. This connexion continued until the 
second month of the year 1813, when a monthly meet- 
ing was established at Leeds. , 

But it is time for us to notice the doings of Falmouth 
monthly meeting. In 1790, they established a meeting 
for worship at Portland, and in six years granted a 
preparative meeting at the same place. In 1792, a 
meeting for worship was granted at L^nington, and In 
1801, a preparative meeting was established there also.. 
At Gorham a meeting for worship was established in 
1797, another at Scarborough in 1799, and a third at 
Gape-Elizabeth in 1810. But they are still small. A 
small meeting for worship was also commenced jo. 
W2 



&58 FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. 

Pownal in 1817. Similar meetings have at late peiiods 
been established in the towns of Parsonsfield, Raymoncfy. 
Poland, and also at Athens in Somerset County. These 
meetings are all small, and no farther particulars are. 
known respecting them. 

In the eastern part of the State, particalarly in the 
Kennebeck country, the Society has been more flourish- 
ing. In some instances ''hey have broken forth on the right 
hand and on the left, they have lengthened their cords., and 
strengthened their stakes. In 1793, a meeting for worship 
was established in Winthrop, connected with Sidney- 
monthly meeting, and a preparative meeting granted 
there in nine years after ; but this declining, a new pre- 
parative meeting was granted in tiiat place in 18I&. 

In 1795, a meeting for worship was established at 
Broad Cove in the cown of Bristol ; a Meeting-house 
was built there the ensuing summer, and a preparative- 
ineeting grated them in 1801. 

In the year 1798, a meeting for worship was estab- 
lished in Dresden, but has never increased much. 
Toward the close of 1801, a similar establishment was 
made in Belgrade, and the year following another in 
Harlem. The meeting at Harlem increased considera-. 
bly, so that they built a Meeting-house in 1807, and had 
a [reparative meeting granted them two years after. 
About the same time a meeting for worship was estab- 
lished in Sunnebeck, now the town of Kope. 

In 1303, a meeting was commenced in. Litchfield, at 
•which vlace a prep?!ative meeting was granted in 18i2. 
JDuring the year 1804, a meeting was commenced'3{>j 



FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. S5^ 

Camden in the County of Hancock, but was discontin- 
ued toward the close of the year 1813, the Friends who 
composed it having principally removed to other meet- 
ings. In 1809, a meeting was regularly held on Long 
Island in Penobscot Bay, now the town of Islesborough, 
but in about three years it was discontinued', the mem- 
bers having removed to Fairfax and other places on the 
main. 

Some years previous to this, Amos Davis, a worthy 
Minister in the Friends Society, now deceased, had set- 
tled at Lewistown on Androscoggin river, and was in- 
strumental in establishing a small meetiiig for worship 
in that place In 1811, a Meeting-house was built there, 
and in 1816, a preparative meeting granted- 

To ward the close of 1810, a meeting for worship was 
established at Fairfax, and two years after a preparative 
meeting was holden at the same place. In a little more 
than one year after this, Vassalborough monthy meet- 
ing, to which the Friends in Fairfax had hitherto belong- 
ed, was divided, and a new one established denominat- 
ed " Harlem monthly meeting," which was to be held 
one third part of the time hi Fairfax. In 1815, a prepara- 
tive meeting was established in Wilton, where a small 
meeting for worship had been attended several' years. 
In the same year a meeting w^s established in the town 
of Unity. A small meeting for worship was also com- 
menced in what is called *' the branch" in Harlem, iii 
1817. 

Until 'he year 1781, no Quarterly meeting of Friends 
bad ever been holden in Maine, and " Salem Quarterly 



S60 FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. 

meeting" so called, included all of this denomination to 
the eastward of Boston. The members of the Society 
bad now increased in Maine, and, for their accommoda- 
tion, it was thought expedient to hold Salem Quarterly 
meeting at Falmouth once in a year. This took place 
for the first time in the 9th month 1781, and so contin- 
ued to be held annually at Falmouth until the year 1795, 
when it was divided, and " Falmouth Quarterly meet- 
ing" established by the Yearly meeting. This was to 
be holden circular, viz. at Falmouth, Vassalborough, 
Durham and Windham ; including in its particular ju- 
lisdiction all the Meetings of Friends in Maine, except 
those at Berwick and Eliot, who found it more conve-- 
nient to remain attached to Salem Quarterly meeting. 

Such was the ordei of things until the year 18-3. — 
The Society had then become so much enlarged that a 
jiew regulation was found needful. Accordingly Fal-- 
mouth Quarterly meeting was divided, and a new 
Quarterly meeting was established at Vassalborough.— 
Falmouth Quarterly meeting now includes the month- 
ly, meetings of Falmouth, Durham, and Windham, 
with the preparative meetings, and meetings for wor- 
ship within their bounds, and is held at Falmouth in 
the 5th and 9th month, at Durham in the t^nd month, 
.and at Windham in the 1 1 th month annually. Vassak- 
borough Quariei includes Vassalborouojh, Sidney, Leeds, 
,and Harlem monthly meetings, wiih die smaller meet- 
ings within their bounds, and is lield at Vassalbi.iough 
** River Meeting-house'' fou- times iu a year, viz. in the 
Sjid, 5tb, 9tb, and ilth months. 



FRIENDS, OR QUAKERS. S6l 

Thus in the space of ninety years the Society of 
Friends has increased from one small meeting to thirty 
three meetings for worship ; more than twenty of them 
being preparative meetings ; eight of them being 
monthly meetings, and two Quarterly meetings. The 
total amount of their population cannot be precisely 
ascertained. It probably is not much short of one 
thousand families. 

An annexed Table will exhibit at one view the date^ 
©f the several meetings. * 

The most general awakening, or in the language of 
the Society, the most general ccnvincetnent, thzt has ever 
taken place among the Friends in Maine, happened dur- 
ing the Revolutionary war, principally through the in- 
strumentality of David Sands, late of Cornwall in the 
State of New-York, an eminent Minister of this Socie- 
ty, who whh great devotedness to the cause he had es 
poused travelled into Maine at that time. The minis- 
try of others, some from Europe, some from other 
States on the Continentj and some raised up from a- 
mong themselves nave from time to time been blessed 
to the convincement of many, and the consequent en- 
largement of the Society. 

* See Appcniix No, 9, 



1^.^ GERMAN LUTHERANS.. 

CHAPTER XXYIL 

GERMAN LUTHERANS. 

The only Church of this denomination in Maine- 
is at Waldoborough in the County of Lincoln. A 
small colony of Germans established themselves here 
about the year 1741. They were Lutherans in senti- 
ment, and appear to have had among them many dew 
Yout people ; for though deftitute of a Minister for 
twenty years after their first establishment at Waldo- 
borough, yet they met constantly for public worship on 
the Sabbath,. The first stated Minister of this Church 
was the Rev. Mr. Schaefier. He came into Maine in 
the year 1762, and was the only Minister of Wal- 
doborough for nearly twenty years. At the time of 
his coming the German Society consisted of about 80 
families. In 1785, Mr. SchaefFer was succeeded by 
Rev. Mr. Croner, who tarried four years, and then left 
the place. For the succeeding five years the Society 
v/as destitute of a Minister. In 1794, the Rev. Mr 
Ritz, a very worthy Clergyman of this communion, 
from the State of Pennsylvania, was procured for the 
German Society at Waldoborough, and continued his 
labors at that place until he was, removed by death in 
February 1812. The present Minister, Rev. John W. 
Starman, succeeded Mr. Ritz. in July 1813. 

The Church consists of a little more than one hund- 
red regular communicants. About eighty of them are 
Qerman Lutherans, and the others of the Reformed 



GERMAN LUTHERANS. 2^3 

Dutch Church. Until the settlement of the present 
Minister, public worship was performed invariably in 
the German language, but within a few years past 
Rev. Mr. Starman has been in the practice of preaching 
every third Sabbath in English. 



§64) PRKSBYTEUIANS. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

PRESBYTERIANS. 

It has already been stated that Presbyterian Churches 
were originally gathered in the towns of Georgetown, 
New-Castle, Brunswick, Boothbay, Bristol, Topsham, 
Warren, Gray, Ca»aan and Turner. The history of those 
Churches could not conveniently be separated from the 
history of the Congregational Churches in the same 
towns. To those sketches the reader is therefore refer- 
red. Some of them by a formal vote relinquished their 
Presbyterian forms and became Congregationalists, 
while others dwindled away, and finally became ex- 
tinct ; and at the present time no Church of the name 
IS found in the State. 

A Presbytery was once established here, the doings 
of which it wiii be proper for Us to notice. 

The first Presbytery in New-England was constituted 
ki Londonderry April 16, 1745, by Rev. John Moor- 
head of Boston, Rev. David McGregore of Londondef* 
ry, and Rev. Robert Abercrombie of Pelham, with James 
McKean, Alexander Conky, and James Heoghs, elders. 
It was called the "Boston Presbytery.'* In three years 
they were joined by Rev Jonathan Parsons of Newbu- 
ryport, and after that by one or two others, and so con- 
tinued for nearly ten years. There v. ei e a considerable 
number of Presbyterian Churches lying on both sides of 
the Merrimac in Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, 
and a few in Maine. The Presbyterial Records appear 
to have been regularly kept until the close of the year 



PKESBYTERIAKS. 



2f65 



-1754% A chasm then appears, and nothing is recorded 
in the original book until October 2^, 1770. The Pies- 
bytery at this time consisted of twelve congregations 
under the following Ministers ; viz. Jolin Mooihead, 
Boston, David McGregore, Londonderry, Jonathan 
Parsons, Newburyport, Daniel Mitchel, Pembroke, John 
Hustor, Bedford, Moses Baldwin, Kingston, Richard 
Graham, Pelham, Samuel Perley, Seabrook, Thomas 
Pierce, Scarborough, John Morrison, Petersburgh, Si- 
mon WiUiams, Windham, and John Strickland, Oak- 
liam. The Presbytery appears now to have been revr- 
"ved, and measures weie taken for dividing it into three, 
and forming a Synod. After more than four years, du- 
ring which time some others were added to the num- 
ber, at a meeting held at Seabrcok May 31, 1775, a di- 
vision was amicably agieed on, as follows : that Messrs. 
Jonathan Parsons of Newbury port, Nathaniel Whitaker 
D. D. of Salem, Samuel Perley, of Seabrook, Alexan- 
der McLean, of Bristol, (Me.) and the Congregation at 
Boston then vacant by the death of Mr. Mooihead, to- 
gether with Rev. Benjamin Balch, and the vacancies 
within their bounds, be "the eastern Presbytery,'"' called 
«^the Presbytery of Salem." That Messrs. David 
McGregore of Londonderry, Daniel Mitchel, of Pem- 
broke, Simon Williams of Windham, and John Strick- 
land of Oakham, with tlie Congregation at Petersburgh, 
and tbe other vacancies within their bounds, be "the 
middle Presbytery," called "the Presbytery of London. 
d^rry." That Messrs John Houston and Moses Bald- 
\lpn with their Congregations at Bedford and Ivmgston, 



S66 TRESBYTEKIANS. 

the vacant CoHgregations of Blandford, Pelham, and 
Colrain, with Aaron Hutchinson, Nathan Merrill, 
George Gilmore, and Joseph Patrick, candidates, be the 
^'western Presbytery," called " the Presbytery of Pal. 
mer," Rev. Mr. Perley was appointed Moderator ©f the 
Salem Presbytery, Rev. Mr. McGregore of that of Lon- 
donderry, and Rev. Mr. Huston of that of Palmer. 
The three Presbyteries, being thus organized, were then 
formed into one body called " the Synod of New- En- 
gland," and held theii first meeting at Londonderry- 
September 4, 1776. 

A few years previous to this the Rev. John Murray- 
had removed from Philadelphia and settled at Booth- 
bay, and with Rev. Mr. Prince, of Barrington, and Rev. 
Mr. McEuins, of New-Market, formed another Presby- 
tery. But no connexion was ever formed between this 
body and the Synod of New-England. The Synod con- 
tinued to hold regular meetings annually, usually at 
Londonderry^ for five years. 

^At length in September 1782, some difficulties hav- 
ing arisen, and their nutnber being considerably redu* 
ced, the Synod agreed to dissolve, and form themselves 
into one Presbytery, by the name of the Presbytery of 
Salem." For two succeeding years this Presbytery held 
meetings regularly In various parts of Massachusetts 
Proper. The principal active members were Doctor 
Whitaker, Mr. Perley, Mr. Strickland, Mr. Merrill, and 
Mr. Urquhart, who were all at that time dismissed, and 
except Mr. Merrill had all been preaching as candidates, 
in the then District of Maine. The last meeting of this 
Presbytery ever held in Massachusetts was he.d at Gro- 



i^RESnY-TElilANS. SB/^ 

ton in June 1784-, at the house of Capt. Shiple, from 
which they adjourned to meet at Gray in Maine. Four 
members attended this meeting, viz. Dr. Whitaker, Mr. 
Perley, Mr. Strickland, and Mr. Urquhart. None of 
the former memb'ers ever attended again, and ahhough 
the Presbytery retained its original name, all the subset, 
quent meetings were held in Maine. 

The meeting at Gray was attended on the 8th of Sep* 
tember 1784. It was there ascertained that Mr. Perley 
had received an invitation from the Church and people 
in that place to become their Minister, tliat Dr. Whita- 
ker had been invited to settle at Canaan on Kennebeck 
river, and that Mr. Strickland had received a similar in- 
vitation from the people in the plantation of Sylvester, 
now the town of Turner, where he had been preaching 
for some time previous, and had recently gathered a 
Church. The Presbytery, having considered the whole 
subject, proceeded to install Mr. Perley at Gray. Mr. 
Strickland preached on this occasion from Acts 14-. 15,. 
Dr. Whitaker gave the charge, and Mr. Urquhart pray- 
ed. Having attended to some other business, the Pres- 
bytery adjourned to meet at Canaan on the 15th of the 
same month, where they installed Dr. Whitaker. On 
this occasion Mr. Urquhart preached, Mr. Perley gave 
the charge, and Mr. Strickland made the prayer. From 
Canaan, the Presbytery proceeded to Sylvester, and on 
the 20th of September they installed Mr. Strickland. 
Here Dr. Whitaker preached from ii Kings, ii. 1 9-22, 
Mr. Perley gave the charge, and Mr. Urquhart made 
the prayer. 

The former members of this body who lived in Mas,. 



268 PRESBYTERIANS. 

sachusetts and New-Hampshire, and some of the vacant 
congregations occasionally withdrew their connexion 
from the Presbytery, and no new members were added* 

In September 1785, the Presbytery met at Topsham. 
Mr. Urquhart was preaching there at tliat time. Capt« 
Matthew Patten of the plantation at Union River, now 
the town of Ellsworth, appeared at this meeting as a 
Commissionerfor the people living in the townships No. 
6 westward and No. 1 eastward of Union River, desir- 
ing to be taken under the patronage of the Presbytery, 
and to have Mr. Urquhart iivstalled as their Minister. 
This business was accordingly performed. Mr. Urqu- 
hart himself made the first prayer, Mr. Stiickland prea- 
ched from Romans x. 15, and Mr. Perley gave the 
•charge, and made the concluding prayer. 

For six following years this Presbytery held regulaij 
jneetings, viz. twice at Turner, once at Winthrop, and 
three times at Gray. A meeting was appointed to be 
held at Canaan, but no record appears. The meeting at 
Winthrop was holden in October 1789. It was proba- 
bly a matter of convenience, as the Church in that town 
was never Presbyterian, and was at that time destitute 
of a Minister. 

A special meeting of the Presbytery was called at 
Turner July 22, 1790. Troubles had arisen in the Con- 
gregatlon at Union River, and Mr. Urquhart, and Capt. 
Patten as Agenf for the people, had both been cit-ed by 
the Presbytery to appear before them. Capt. Patten 
had sent forward charges against Mr. Urquhart, and he 
in turn accused the people. After considering the case 
the Presbytery determined that Mr. Urquhart was not 



PRESBYTEr.IANS. S69 

guilty of the charges made against him, and as the peo- 
ple had made no request for his dismission the Presby- 
tery would not dissolve the connexion between them and 
their Minister, but left it optional with Mr. Urquhart to 
take his dismission when he pleased. 

The last meeting of the Salem Presbytery was held at 
Gray September 14, 1791. Dr. Whitaker, Mr. Perley, 
and Mr. Strickland attended, but no elders from their 
Churches. Some difficulties had arisen in the society in 
that town, and it became a question whether it was not 
expedient that Mr. Perley should be dismissed. The 
Presbytery considered this measure as unnecessary at that 
time, and after recommending Mr. Perley, they referred 
the final question to the decision of the parties concern- 
ed and adjourned without day. The members of this 
Ecclesiastical body were soon dismissed. Mr. Perley 
still lives in Gray, but has not entered the ministry 
again, Dr. Whitaker and Mr. Urquhart left the State, 
and Mr. Strickland settled at East Andover in Oxford 
County as a Congregationalist ; while the Churches 
with which they were connected either dwindled away 
and sunk into non existence, or assumed the Congrega- 
tional form under the next Minister. There is not now 
a Presbvterian Church in the State. 

X % 



^7^ FftEETVlLL BAPTISIS. 

CHAP TEll XXIX, 

FREEWILL BAPTISTS. 

This name Is used to distinguish a religious denom'*^ 
ination well known in Maine. They choose to call 
themselves " The Church of Christ.'* The term 
" Freewill Baptist," is used here merely for the sake of' 
distinction.* From nearly the beginning of the Baptists 
in America there had been some who opposed many 
articles of the Calvmistrc creed. These were chiefly to- 
t>e found in Rhode-Island and Virginia.f But no regu- 
lar establishment of the kind was made in New-Eng- 
land, and probably not in America, until the year 1780, 
Elder Benjamin Randel of New-Durham in New-Hamp- 
shire, is supposed to have been the first that openly es* 
poused and preached the doctrines now generally held 
by the Freewill Baptists. In that year a small Church 
of this name was gathered at New-Durham by Elder 
Randal. The first regular Minister who united him- 
self with Elder Randel was Elder Pelatiah Tingley^ 
He was a graduate from Yale College, and was at first 
VI Congregational preacher, then became a Calvinistic^ 
Baptist, and was at this time in the pastoral ofHce at 
Sanford. After this, sereral other Ministers did from 
time to time unite with this new Society. Elder Ran- 



•it «• It appear* that at that time fMarth 1784] they made no use of the 
^Crms Frcewillcr, Freewill Baptist, ice. They considered their tevcni 
i»i»nches as so many Churches of Christ, and yet tollectiTely they consider- 
ed themselves but one Church of Christ, and owned the name Baptist onljr 
as a term of distinction." Religious Magazine, No. I,p3ge i^% 

T B<iv< diet's History Of the Bapt&tSrVol. 2, page 4,1(3. 



FREEWILL BAPTISTS. %^\ 

del was uncommonly active, and during the year 1781, 
through his instrumentality, churches of Freewill Baptists 
were collected in the towns of Woolwich, Georgetown,, 
Little-falls plantation, nowHolHs, Edgecomb, Little-Riv- 
er, New-Gloucester, and Parsonsfield. The practice of El- 
der Randel as he travelled through the country was, as 
people embraced his sentin>ents, to gather a company 
of them within certain limits under the general name 
of a Monthly meeting. A number of these monthly 
meetings assembled once in three months and held 2 
Quarterly meeting. And after these branches became 
more numerous, a meeting was holdeu of all the Quar- 
terly meetings, called a Yearly meeting. The whole 
body was considered as one Church, and no business o£ 
importance was transacted in the Monthly meetings 
without the voice of the whole body. This general 
regulation still continues, excepting that the name 
" Church" was, in 1809> substituted for that of <* months 
iy meeting.'* 

In December of the year 1783, regular Quarterly 
meetings were first appointed ; one was to be held at 
New-Durham, one at New-Gloucester, one at Wool- 
wich, and one at Philipsburg. These appointments 
served to enlarge the society greatly, and its permanent 
establishment may be dated from this time.f Many of 
the society, both Ministers and private members, had 
originally belonged to Calvlnistic Baptist Churches, and 
consequently, were close communionists, but ia Decem- 
ber, \ 785, at a Quarterly meeting held at Gorham, the 



i Rcligiotrt Maga^in?^, 



'^^% FREEWILL BAPTISTS. 

Society voted to open their communion to other de- 
nominations. Their numbers were still inconsiderable. 
In 1786, they had only eight Preachers in Maine and 
HOt over ten Monthly meetings, or Churches. In the 
course of the four succeeding years the society increas- 
ed a little. At an enumeration taken in the year 1790, 
they had eight ordained Ministers, ten licensed 
preachers, and in all their societies 400 members. 
These were all in Maine, excepting the original Church 
at New-Durham. 

In 1791, the establishment at New-Durham experienc- 
ed -a surprising revolution. Some intestine struggles 
threatened its very existence as a Church, and the mem- 
bers to save difficulty declared themselves no Church, 
and formed anew.f A new Quarterly meeting was soon 
established in that region, and the society began to 
spread itself into New-Hampshire, and very soon into 
Vermont. From this time the Societies of Freewill 
Baptists advanced about as rapidly as other societies 
around them, and in the year 1804, they petitioned to 
become incorporated as one great Society, scattered 
throughout the District ©f Maine. There were at that 
time, in all their Churches about 2000 members. Their 
petition being refused, the greater part of them subse- 
quently became incorporated as distinct societies in the 
towns where they belonged. 

The present state of the Churches in this communion 
has been bu^ imperfectly ascertained, and it is difficult 



■>t Religious Magazine. 



FREEWILL BAPTIST*. SySv 

oh manj accounts, to ascertain the precise number of 
monthly meetings or local Churches in the whole con- 
nexion, or the whole number of members. * There are 
at present eleven Quarterly meetings in the whole con. 
nexion. Of these, four are in Maine, viz. Gorham, 
Edgecomb, Farmington, and Montville ; three aie ia 
New-Hampshire, xit* New-Durham, Sandwich, and 
Andover ; three are in Vermont, viz. Strafford, Whee* 
lock, and Huntington ; and one is in New- York, called 
Bethany Quarterly meeting* The Yearly meetings are* 
four, viz. otie in New-Hampshire, Called New-Durham 
yearly meeting, and is commenced on the second Satur- 
day of June annually ; two in Maine, one called Edg^* 
eomb Yearly meeting, and holden annually on the first 
Saturday in September, one year within the towns of 
Edgecomb or Woolwich, and the next year at Farming* 
ton, or in some other town within the limits of that 
Quarterly meeting ; The other is called Gorham Year- 
ly meeting, and is to be holden on the first Saturday in 
November alternately at Gorham and Parsonsfield.— 
The fourth Yearly meeting is held in Vermont, and call- 
ed Strafford Yearly meeting. It is commenced on the 
first Saturday in October in the town of Straffoid, or 
some other town within the limits of that Quarterly 



* Elder Buzzel!, in the Ute numbers of his Mfgazine, has ai'proprfated a 
f lace for a succinct history of local Churches. Should this publication b^ 
continued, in process of time the materials fer a folljilstory of thia ^tso^if 
Tiation will be ^ffordecf-. 



^74 FREEWILL BAPTISTS. 

meeting. An annexed Table will exhibit the date of tht 
gathering of such Churches as could be obtained, f-^ 
The names of the Ministers in this connexion cannot be 
stated with any degree of accuracy, 

t 5ce Appendix Ke. iq. 



METHODISTS. ^^^ 

CHAPTER XXX. 

METHODISTS. 

1793. 

This denomination of Christians claim as th.eir fovu> 
der the Rev. John Wesley, who was born July 17,1703. 
After a regular collegiate course he was ordained » 
Priest of the English Episcopal Church by Dr. Potter, 
Bishop of Oxford, September 22, 1728. Mr. Wesley 
with his brother Charles Wesley, became deeply serious 
while they were members of College, and were then 
joined by a few others. They met together at stated 
times for religious exercises, and their regularity pro- 
cured for them the distinguishing epithet of Methodist. 
Thus the society began in tlie year 1 729. It then con 
sisted of but four persons, viz. John Wesley, Charles 
Wesley, Richard Morgan, and Mr. ICirkmaa. They- 
were occasionally joined by others, and in 1735, the 
society consisted of fifteen persons. Toward the latter 
end of that year the two Wesley s came to America as 
Missionaries, and landed in Georgia in February 1736. 
Charles Wesley returned to England within a few 
months. John remained but little more than a year, 
and consequently not much was done toward the e3«» 
tablishment of the society in America at that time. 
Mr. Wesley formed a society which met at his house in 
Savannah while he tarried, but when he left them it 
was broken up. In 1739, regular Methodist societies 
were formed in England by Mr. Wesley for the first 
time, and the next year the first itinerant Preachers be- 
gan to travel under his direction. The society now be- 



%*}% METHODISTS. 

came more regular, and in 174?2, it was divided into 
classes of about twelve persons in each, who were com- 
mitted to the care of one of the number, styled the 
"Class-leader.** The first regular annual conference 
of the whole society was held in London, June 25, 
1744. There were then present six Clergymen, and 
four travelling Preachers. From that time meetings of 
this kind were holden annually, although the minutes 
were not published until the year 1763. Methodist 
Societies were now fully established in Great Britaifi^ 
from whence they passed to America. 

In the beginning of the year 1766, the first Methodist 
society was formed in the city of New-York. Mr. 
Philip Embury, a Preacher of this denomination, mov* 
ed from Ireland and settled there. He soon commenc* 
ed preaching in his own house, and gathered a little 
society of his own countrymen who had emigrated t(? 
this country. After a few months spent in this way, a 
room was rented adjoining the barracks, and meetings 
held there. Before the close of tlie year they were 
joined by Capt, Thomas Webb, barrack-master at Alba-*- 
ny, who preached to the society in his regimentals. 
The novelty of this brought numliers to the meeting, 
and the society was eventually much enlarged. A 
room formerly used as a rigging loft was procured for 
their use, and continued to be the place of public wor- 
ship for about two years, when a Meeting-house was 
built. Not long after this society was formed in New- 
York, Robert Strawbridge, a local preacher from Ire- 
land, settled in Frederick County in the state of Mary- 
la^id, and a society was formed there. The first regu- 



METHODISTS. 277 

3ar travelling preachers in this connexion who came to 
America, weie Richard Boardman and Joseph Pillmore. 
They arrived here October 24, 1769, and immediately 
began their labours with most encouraging appearance*?. 
The regular establishment of the Methodist societies in 
America may be dated from this time. Almost every 
year after this preachers came ov^r to America, an<l 
the society spread in many directions. 

In the spring of 1773, Mr. Wesley sent over Thomas 
Rankin, and George Shadf )rd. Mr. Rankin had been 
a travelling preacher in England for eleven years, and 
having a better knowledge of the affairs than any other 
Methodist then in America, he was appointed by Mr. 
Wesley to the superintendency of the whole <;onnexIori 
in the United States, and w^as styled the General Assist- 
ant. Immediately on his arrival in Philadelphia he 
called the travelling preacliers together, and on July 14? 
vof that year the first conference was held in America. 
At that time there were in America ten travelling 
preichers, who laboured In six circuits, viz. New- York, 
New-Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, and Pe- 
tersburg circuits. In all of which there were 1160 
members. The revolutionary war which soon com- 
menced had a very unfavorable effect on the cause of 
Methodism in the United States. Most of the travel- 
ling preachers w^ere Englishmen, and had the prejudic- 
es natural to their country ; the people were in confu- 
sion in »11 parts of the land ; the foundations of some 
of the most ancient aad well established societies were 
greatly shaken, and it cannot therefore be thought 
strange that difficuHIes of no small magnitude should 



S7^ METHODISTS. 

lie in the way of the establishment of a new one. 
Another circuinstance had much influence upon the 
Society. The members of it had never been foimed 
into a regular Church, and consequently had never en- 
joyed the ordinances of the Gospel among themselves. 
Mr. Wesley, and most of the Methodists in England 
were members of the established Church, as were many 
in America also, and it had ever been the advice of Mr. 
Wesley to his adherents that they should attend the or- 
dinances at the several Churches where they belonged, 
particularly the Episcopalian. The travelling preach- 
ers were not ordained, as there had yet appeared no 
special call for it. 

As the Methodists increased in the southern States 
the want of ordinances was sensibly felt, as there were 
but few Ministers of the Episcopal Church in that re- 
gion, with whom the Methodists were disposed to unite. 
This gave rise to a procedure somewhat singular, 
although, as was probably supposed, justified by the 
circumstances of the time. In the year 1779, the trav- 
elling preachers In Virginia and North-Carolina met 
together in Conference and resolved to ordain each oth- 
er, and administer baptism and the Lord's supper. A 
committee was chosen for this purpose, who, having or- 
dained themselves, proceeded to set others apart to the 
sacred oflice.* The preachers to the north of Virginia 
were opposed to this step, and after a time it was mu- 
tually agreed to discontinue the administration of ordi- 
nances until Mr. Wesley could be consulted. A com- 

* Lee's History of Metho^Um, rage u9. 



METHODISTS. ^79 

muni cation V\'as accordingly made to him, but he 
delayed his answer until September 1784.* Dr. Coke 
was now sent to Ametica by Mr. Wesley, and with 
him came Rev. Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey, 
who were all regularly ordained. The travelling preach- 
ers in Am.eiica were summoned to a general Confer- 
ence in the city of Baltimore, December 1784<. At 
this meeting a Church was regularly formed, called 
*' The Methodist Episcopal Church," a uniform plan of 
proceedings was digested, and a form of discipline 
drawn up. Mr. Francis Asbury was elected to the 
office of Bishop, or Superintendant, and regularly or- 
dained to that office. He and Dr. Coke had been 
nominated by Mr. Wesley to fill the office jointly, and 
were now elected by the conference. The society was 
thus established on a permanent basis, and from this 
time began to extend itself in every direction. 

These few hints lespecting the first rise of Method- 
ism in Europe, and its establishment in America, seem- 
ed necessary before stating its introduction into Maine. 

Elder Jesse Lee, of Prince George County in Virginia, 
was principally instrumental in the establishment of the 
Methodist societies in the New-England States. In the 
beginning of the year 1789 he formed a circuit in the 
southern part of Connecticut. The next year he visited 
Boston, preached on the common there, and preached 
also In most of the towns as far east as Newburyport. 
At Lynn he found much encouragement, and a class of 
eight persons w^as formed there February 20, 1791. In 

* See Appcndi:^, No. iv. 



^St) METHODISTS. 

tke sum mer ©f that year a regular Methodist society 
was formed at Lynn, and a Meeting-house built. This 
was the first Methodist society formed in that State.* 
In August, 1793, a conference was held at Lynn, and 
Elder Lee was appointed to travel through the then 
province of Maine, connect it with some other cir- 
euit, or form a circuit there, as he should judge expe- 
dient. Ke accordingly left Lynn in September follow- 
ing, and commenced his journey eastward. The firs t 
sermon he ever preached in Maine was in Saco, on 
September 10, which was the first Methodist sermoiv 
ever preached in the State. Elder Lee went as far 
east as Castlne, then up the Penobscot to Bangor, 
thence to Hallowell on Kennebeck River, thence through, 
the settlements on Sandy River, and through Portland 
to Massachusetts again. This tour occupied several 
months, as Elder Lee preached almost every day, and 
being a stranger, had to make his own appointments. 
After thus viewing the country, he thought it advisable 
to form a circuit on the western side of Kennebeck. 
Pwlver, extending from Hallowell to Farmington. This 
he called " Readfield circuit," and Elder Philip Wagec 
was immediately appointed to labour in it. The whole 
of Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, and Maine thea 
constituted one District cdled "Boston Distiict," of 
which Mr. Lee was presiding Elder. 

Some special attention to religion was soon discover- 
ed on Readfield circuit under the ministry of Mr. Wager, 
and a class was gathered in Monmouth about the first 



n liist.- Me'hodift^, rage '<i<>. 



METHODISTS. SBl 

of November iTQi, and another at Readfield. These 
were the first ever formed in Mahie. On the 1 4th of 
December following the Lord's supper was administer- 
ed by the Methodists for the first time in Maine. This 
took place at Readfield. It was administered again at 
Monmouth on the 25th of the same month. After this, 
classes were frequently formed in different towns on 
this circuit. 

The next circuit established in Maine w,as called Port- 
land circuit. It extended as far north as Paris and 
Norway. Elder Wager was appointed to travel this 
circuit, and Enoch Mudge* and Eiias Hull were ap- 
pointed to Readfield. In October 1795, a class was 
formed in Portland, and the first Quarterly meeting in 
the State was held in Poland in December following. — . 
In the same year Joshua Hall was sent to Penobscot by 
the New London Conference, and a circuit was formed 
called Penobscot circuit, including a large territory on 
both bides of that river from its mouth upward. 

In 1796, it was found expedient to form a circuit 
near the mouth of the Kennebeck, called Bath circuit, 
Methodist ministers had preached in this vicinity for 
nearly three years, but the number of their adherents 
had hitherto been small. This new circuit comprehend- 
ed all the towns near the mouth of Kennebeck river on 
both sides of it ; extending as far east as Union, but the 
preacher appointed to the care of the circuit was to 



♦ Mr. Mudgc was one of the fiu'.ts of Mr. Let's labors at Lynn, and was 
the first Methodist preacher raised up in New Eng1an<l, 

Y2 



^82 METllODlSTa. 

spend most of his time in Bath. During the same yeaf 
a new circuit was formed among the upper settlements 
on th:e same river, and called Kennebeck circuit, the 
name of which is now changed to Norridgewock. At 
this time the members in the several societies in Maine 
amounted to 357, having among them six preachers- 
regularly travelling. 

At the annual confei-ence in 1797, 5t was found ex. 
pedient to divide Boston District, and to constitute the 
several circuits in Maine into a District by themselves,, 
of which Rev. Joshua Taylor v^^as appointed presiding 
Elder. 

A new circuit was this year added to the number. — 
This was in the eastern part of the state. Two years 
before some Methodist preachers had visited that pari 
of the country, and some classes had been formed. — 
The circuit was called Pleasant River circuit, but after 
a few years the preachers found it inexpedient to go so 
far east, and the name of the circuit was changed to 
that of Union River circuit, as that place was found to 
be most central. In the year 1 800, anothei circuit was 
added to those already formed in Maine. It was called 
Bethel circuit, and comprehended all the upper settle, 
ments on Androscoggin river. 

These seven circuits extended through the greater 
part of Maine which was then settled. Thus the ground 
Vr^as all occupied, and previous to the year 1800 the 
Methodist preachers on the several circuits had been, 
enabled to preach more or less in every town in Maine. 
After this period considerable revivals of religion at dif- 



I 



METHODISTS. ^8^ 

ferent times and places enlarged the Society, and called 
for more ministerial labour. The circuits were of course 
divided, altered, enlarged, or circumscribed, as prudence^, 
convenience, or necessity required. Some of those 
alterations will now be noticed in the order in which 
they occurred. 

We have brought down the history of this people to 
the year 1 800, at which time Maine constituted one Di-- 
strict, of seven circuits, containing 1197 members, who 
were supplied by eight travelling preachers, beside the 
presiding Elder. The next year found them in about 
the same situation, with a small increase of members. 
In 1802, the name of Portland circuit was changed to 
that of Falmouth, and two new circuits were added, viz. 
Poland circuit, which took from Falmouth circuit all 
the upper part of the County of Cumberland, and low- 
er part of the County of Oxford } and Hallowell cir- 
cuit which included the towns lying on both sides of 
Kennebeck River from Gardiner to Bloomfield. Bath 
circuit was also divided, and the easterly part called 
Union circuit. Some inciease of members was found, 
in all the circuits, and seventeen preachers labouied 
constantly among them. During the following year 
things remained in about the same state, except that 
Bath circuit took the name of Bowdoinham circuit, 
and a new one called Bristol circuit was taken from 
Union. In l^i04',the Methodist societies in Maine pre-, 
sented a very flourishing aspect. Large additions 
were made to them on some of the circuits, particularly 
Falmouth, Bowdoinham, Hallowell, and Penobscot, 
Falmouth circuit was now divided into three, one re* 



284 MtTHODlSTS. 

taing the original name, and the others called Portland 
and Scarborough. The year following this a circuit 
was established called Livermore circuit, taken princi- 
pally from the northwesterly part of Readfield Circuit, 
as that had spread over a large territory, and contained 
many members. At the close of this year the society 
could number 2399 members in Maine, fourteen cir- 
cuits, and seventeen travelling preachers, exclusive of 
Rev. Joshua Soule who had been presiding Elder for 
two years. 

It w^ now found necessary to divide Maine into two 
Districts, which was accordingly done in 1806. They 
were called Portland District, and Kennebeck District, 
comprehending the circuits in the western and eastern 
j^arts of the State. A new circuit was at the same 
time added to Portland District called Durham circuit, 
and one to Kennebeck District called Vassalborough 
circuit. Penobscot circuit was also divided into two, 
one called Orrington, and the other Hampden circuit. 
No alteration took place during the next year except 
the establishment of Conway circuit, which included 
some towns in Maine, and some in New-Hampshire. 

In 1808, Bowdoimham circuit was united to Dur- 
ham circuit, and has not since been distinctly noticed. 
Palmyra circuit was taken into Kennebeck District the 
same year, but the next year it was included in Vassal- 
borough circuit, where it has ever since remained. In 
the year ] 809, more than 400 members were added 
to the several societies, and three new circuits estab- 
lished within Kennebeck District, viz. ]&oothbay, 



METBODISTg. S85 

Georgetown, and Industry circuits, and the name of 
Union River circuit \\"as changed to that of Penobscot. 

For three succeeding years there was no alteration in 
any of the circuits. Twenty-five preachers laboured 
constantly in the several societies. The numbei of 
members in Portland District decreased considerably, 
while Kennebeck District received some accessions. 
At the close of 1812, the total amount in Maine 
was 3450.* The only alteration which took place in 
1813 was the union of Boothbay and Georgetown 
circuits into one which was called Pittston circuit. In 
1814, a new circuit was taken within Portland District 
called North-Yarmouth circuit, including the town of 
that name and Freeport ; and another was also taken 
within Kennebeck called Vienna circuit. 

In the course of the year 1815, it was found that the- 
Society was increasing so much faster at the eastward 
than in the western Counties in the State, that it was 
thought expedient to detach some of the circuits from 
Kennebeck Distiict and unite them with Portland Dis- 
tTict, and accordingly Readfield and Vienna circuits 
were joined to Portland District, where they have 
since remained, 'ihe name of Falmouth circuit was 
in the same year changed to that of Buxton circuit.. 

During the next year, North-Yarmouth circuit, being 
small both in numbers and territory, was joined witU 
Buxton circuit, and so continued far three years, when 
the name of it was dropped from the minutes. At 
the same time six of the lower circuits in Kennebeck 

# St;e the printed Minutes far that year. 



g86 METHODISTS. 

District were united in three, viz. Pittston and Bristol 
formed ene, Oirington and Penobscot, another, Union 
and Hampden a third. A similar connexion was form- 
ed in 1817 between Livermore and Vienna circuits. 
The year previous the name of Vassalborough circuit 
had been changed to that of Unity circuit, and now a 
union was formed between that and Norridgewock 
circuit. A new circuit was also established adjoining 
the British Provinces called St. Croix. In 1818, no 
alteration was made, except to establish a small circuit 
within Portland District called Bath circuit. In 1819, 
the name of Gray was mentioned In the minutes as 
part of a circuit with Buxton, and the year succeeding 
it was established as a clicuit by itself, comprehending 
the ground formerly included in North-Yarmouth cii- 
cult. At the same time a circuit was anexed to Ken- 
rebeck District called Exeter circuit, and the connexion 
was dissolved between Norridgewock and Unity cii cults, 
and also between Penobscot and Orrington, and Hamp- 
den and Union circuits. 

In 1820, Kennebeck District was divided, and a third 
District formed called Penobsscot District, of which Rev. 
Benjamin Jones was appointed presiding Elder. The 
same year Arundel circuit was established, and united 
with Scarborough circuit ; and Bath ciicuit was taken 
from Portland District, and annexed to Kennebeck. — 
Three new circuits were also established In Penobscot 
District, viz, Columbia, Vinalhaven, and ThomastOR 
circuits! 



METHODISTS. SB? 

Thus in twenty-seven years the Methodist Church in 
Maine has arisen from nothing to a respectable estab- 
lishment ; comprehending three Districts, twenty-seven 
circuits, and 6192members in the Society, having among 
them twenty-eight travelling preachers, exclusive of 
three presiding Elders, f 

Of the annual conferences of the Methodist Church 
in America, six have been holien in Maine. The first 
included Maine only. It was hel-d at Readfield August 
29, 1798, at which ten travelling preachers were pres^ 
ent, and 200 communicants. There were then five cir- 
cuits in Maine, and 936 in membership. 

The second conference was held at Monmouth July 
1,1802. This was the "New-England conference." 
There w^ere then in Maine ten circuits, 18 travelling- 
preachers, and 14?14< members in the society. The third 
conference was held in Buxton July 15, 1804, at which 
time there were in Maine eleven circuits, 15 travelling 
preachers, and 2102 in membership. The fourth con- 
ference held in Maine was in Monmouth, June 15, 1809. 
The State then contained two Districts, twenty circuits, 
25 preachers, and 3224 members. The annual confer- 
ence was also held at Durham June 2, 1814, and again 
at Hallowell June 4, 1818. 

Before concluding our account of the Methodists, it 
may be expedient for the information of others, to take 
a summary view of the society under its present estab- 
lishment in America. The whole body of Methodists 
in the United States are included in twelve annual con- 

+ See Appendix No. iz.- 



S88 METHODISTS, 

ferences. Each travelling preacher, after having tra- 
velled two years, and been approved, Is elected a mem- 
ber of the annual conference. In each conference a 
Bishop presides as Superlntendant. The annual confer- 
ence by their Delegates form the general conference, 
which meets once in four years. The conferences are 
divided into Districts, over wh ch an Elder presides. In 
England he is called the Chairman of the District, but 
in America he is styled the presiding Elder. Each 
District is dividtd into circuits as appears convenient. 
Each circuit is considered as one distinct pastoral charge, 
to which a preacher is designated every year. The cir- 
cuits usually comprehend the societies in several towns, 
and are divided into classes, over each of which a leader 
is appointed. Any person expressing i desire to flee 
from the wrath to come, and be saved from his sins, 
may become a member of a class. The leader is re- 
quired to see each person in his class at least once a 
week, to inquire into their state, advise, reprove, com- 
fort, or exhort as occasion may require. After a term 
of trial, of at least six monihs, the leader recommends 
such of the class as he thinks fit to the circuit preacher, 
and from him they receive a ticket whict entitles them 
to communion, and they are then reckoned as members 
of the society. Formerly Band societies »vere found In 
some places, which were voluntary associations of indi- 
viduals who was under a mutual ens^igement to watch 
more especially over each other. These are now rarely 
to be met with in Amejlca. 

In most of the circuits there are foiind some preach- 
ers who find it inconvenient to travel much, but do not 



METHODISTS. S89 

Wnthdraw neither from the society nor from the minis- 
try. They are stiled local pre2.chers. They supply va- 
cant places on the Sabbath, and at other times as occa- 
sion calls : but they are not considered as having the 
pastoral care of any part of the flock. This belongs 
solely to the circuit preacher for the time being. 

It is the duty of the circuit preacher to travel regu* 
larly among the people of his charge, dispensing the 
word, and administering the ordinances. In each cir- 
cuit there is a quarterly meeting held four times in the 
year, and all the business of the circuit is then transac- 
ted by the ''Quarterly meeting Conference," consisting 
of all the travelling and local preachers, exhorters, stew- 
ards, and leaders in the circuit, at which time the cir- 
cuit preacher is to make a report of his doings to the 
presiding Elder of the District. 

The presiding Elder Is to visit the several circuits 
within his charge at least once in three months, and to 
preside in each Quarterly meeting conference when prac-. 
ticable. In each District there is annually held a "Dis- 
trict Conference," of which all the local preachers who 
shall have been licensed two years may be members, and 
the presiding Elder of the District is President, This 
conference is to take cognizance of a'l ;he local preach- 
•■ers within the'r limits ; to inquire iaco the ^ifts. labours, 
and usefulness of each by mime ; to grant and renew 
licenses^ to preach ; to recommend t) the annual con., 
ference suitable persons for ordination as Deacons or El- 
ders, in the local connexion, or for trial in the travelling 
connexioa j to try, suspend, expel, or acquit any local 

Z 



^dO METHODISTS. 

preacher against whom any charges may have beett 
brought. 

To obtain license to preach a person must make ap- 
plication to the Quarterly meeting conference to which 
he belongs. They will recommend him to the District 
conference to be examined, where, if approved, he is 
either licensed as a local preacher, or recommended to 
the annual conference as a travelling preacher. If a lo- 
cal preacher he must serve four years as a licentiate be- 
fore he can receive Deacon's orders, and four more be- 
fore he can be ordained an Elder ; but if a travelling 
preacher only half that time. The presiding Elders 
are appointed by the Bishop. Ordination is peformed 
by the laying on of the hands of the Bishop, and some 
of the Elders present. The Bishop is elected by the 
General conference, and ordained by the laying on of the 
hands of three Bishops when they can be obtained, or of 
one Bishop and two Elders ; and when by death or 
otherwise, there is no Bishop remaining in the Church, 
the General conference having made their election of a 
Bishop, may appoint three Elders who shall ordain 
him.* 

The New-England conference, to which Maine now 
belongs, includes all the New-England States which lie 
east of Connecticut River, that part of Vermont lying 
east of the Green Mountain, and that part of Lower 
Canada lying east of Lake Magog. It is expected that 
a new conference will shortly be appointed for Maine 
alone. 



♦ For all the things above stated, rcspectiug tile goveri*m;nr of the 
Church, iee Metlxxiist Discipline, aot'ti Edition, pages ij, i8, 3^ 39, ifi 



METHODISTS. £91 

Before conclmding this Chapter it may be useful not 
to the Methodists only, but to all other denominations 
to make a remark on one custom among them. In 
their Book of Discipline, Chapter 1, Sec. 19, we have 
the following question and answer ; 

** Quest. What can be done to supply the circuiLS 
during the sitting of the conference ? 

Ans. I. Let all the appointments stand according 
to the plan of the circuit. 

2. Engage as many local preachers and exhorters 

as will supply them, and let them be paid for their time 

in proportion to the allowance of the travelling preach- 
ers. 

3. If preachers and exhorters cannot attend, let 
some person of ability be appointed in every society tt> 
sing, pray, and read one of Mr. Wesley's Sermons. 

4?. But if that cannot be done, let there be prayer 
meetings." 

All societies have their general meetings which it is_ 
highly important Ministers should attend, in oider to 
consult together for the welfare of the Church at large. 
In a country like ours it must necessarily occupy some 
time to attend them, and this regulation of the Methof 
dists is therefore much to be applauded, as it provides 
for this emergency, and effectually prevents any blame 
from attaching itself to a Minister, when for a little 
space he leaves his particular charge to attend the more 
general concerns of the Church. 



."^9^ CHRISTIAN SOClIiTY. 

CHAPTEU XX \ I. 

CHRISTIAN SOCIETY. 

In the year 1 800, Elder Abner Jones, then living in 
Vermont, becoming dissatisfied with some things in the 
Freewill i^'aptist Churches, in which connexion hp hen 
stood, withdrew from tliem. Elder Jones soon found 
others in different sections of the country of the same 
mind with himself. These travelled in various directions 
through the country, preached, baptized, gathered 
Churches, and ordained Elders. About the same time. 
Elder Elias Smith, then the Pastor of a Baptist Church 
in Portsmouth N. H. embraced and preached the senti- 
ments held by Elder Jones and his associates. Thus- 
began the <' Christian Societies." In 1803, a Church 
of this kind was gathered at Portsmouth, one at Bos* 
ton, one at Salem, and some others in the same year. 
Several Elders were ordained, and many members ad- 
ded, some from the v^rorld, and some from other socie- 
ties. 

The first Church in this connexion in Maine was gath- 
ered in Kittery November 20, 1806, and Moses SafFord 
was ordained to the pastoral care of it. He afterwards 
withdrew, and their present Minister, Elder Mark Fer- 
nald, was ordained in September 1809. In 1808, a 
Church was gathered in the westerly part of York, and 
Elder Peter Young ordained as its pastor. He soon re- 
luoved from them and the pastoral care was transferred 
to Elder Fernald of Kittery. 



CKRISTIAX SOCiliTY, £9^ 

About the same time, a Church was gathered in the 
western part of Wells, and after a few years Elder 
Richard Littlefield was ordained there. 

In 1809, a Church of twenty eight members was 
gathered m Seuth-Berwick, and In 1812, a Church was 
also gathered in Portland, with which Elder Samuel 
Rand is at present connected. Churches in this con- 
nexion have also been gathered in the towns of Vienna, 
Canaan, Cornville, Harmony, Monmouth, Exeter, Far- 
fax, Clinton, Palmyra, Northhill, Warsaw, Athens, 
Madison, Newport, Joy, Wilton, Knox, Leeds, Mount- 
Vernon, and Eastport, all since the year 1814. The 
Churches of this denomination in Maine are in all 
twenty six, connected with which a/re fifteen ordained 
Eldeis. * 



* See AppendlS No. 1.3. 



Z^ 



No. 1. 

FROM PAGE 21. 

The Council assembled for the ordination of Mr. 
Fayrweather, consisted of the Church in Berwick, the 
first Church in Danvery, the Church in New-Castle, the 
first and third Churches in Kittery, the first Church 
in Portsmouth, and the first Church in York. Three 
Churches in Boston were invited, but did not attend. 
Their result exhibits the regard shown to the objections 
of a respectable minority, and affords a valuable pre- 
cedent in similar cases at the present day. 
RESULT. 

" We the Elders and Delegates of the Church m 
^Berwick, the first Church in Danvers, the Church in 
Newcastle, the first and third Churches in Kittery, the 
first Church in Portsmouth, and the first Church in 
York, convened in Council, May 23, J 753, at Wells, 
upon Letters missive from the first Church in said town, 
in order to ordain Mr. Samuel Fayrweather to the 
work of the Gospel Ministry among them. Having 



S APPENDIX, 

made our earnest supplications to God for direction^, 
and the Church being called before the Council that 
we might enquire concerning the call which they had 
given Mr. Fayrweather, and whether the way was clear 
for their proceeding to his Ordination, upon their vote 
being taken before the Council there appeared about 
thirty-six for hira and twelve against him, which 
twelve, with others not present, exhibited their objec- 
tioHS in writing. After mature and serious considera- 
tion of the objections offered by, the dissatisfied Breth- 
ren against Mr. Fayrweather, the Council came to the 
Allowing Resolve : viz. 

That as to Mr. Fayrweather being frequently absent 
ftom them and delaying his answer, and other objections 
of the same nature, they are. of little or no weight, and 
IAt Fayrweather has fully answered them to the satis- 
faction of the Council, and as to the insinuations with 
which they conclude their written objections, " that there 
are many more imprudencies which they might have 
mentioned^ and by his conduct they think that it will 
appear that he seeks theirs more than them,** since they 
declared before the Council they had nothing in partic- 
ular against him which they could prove, we look upon 
them as trifling, and uncharitable. 

But notwithstanding the clearness of Mr. Fayr- 
weather's character, and the great majority both of 
Church and Parish, which voted for, and continue to 
desire his settlement in the ministry, yet consid- 
ering a number have manifested a great discon- 
tent and uneasiness relating to the votes passed, 
and particularly the largeness of the sums voted 
&r his settlement and yearly support, though we think 



APPENDIX. S 

them no more than Mr. Far weather would find neces- 
sary — considering also the very strenuous opposition 
made by some to his settlement, the danger of increas» 
mg difficulties, together with other circumstances of 
this settlement, as they appear to us, which gives us 
reason to fear Mr. Fayrweather will not be so servicea- 
ble and comfortable in this place as in some other ; we 
cannot be fully satisfied that it will be best for us to 
proceed to his Ordination, but rather think it advisable 
that Mr. Fayrweather lovingly and peaceably part. 
Hcwever, we think it our duty to bear testimony 
against the heat and uncharitableness of this opposition 
which this minor part have made to Mr. Fayrweather^ 
which we look upon as an infringement upon the rights 
of Society, and as having a tendency to obstruct the- 
success of the Gospel, and alienate the minds of Chris- 
tian Brethren, and we think it necessary to declare that 
we are not influenced in our determination merely by- 
the present opposition of so small a party, but by sev- 
eral prudential considerations, and we also give our se-i 
rious and faithful advxe to the dissatisfied Brethren^ 
that they heartily unite with the Church and Congre* 
gation in taking all proper measures to obtain some 
other suitable person to be settled among them in the 
gospel ministry ; and we freely and heartily recom- 
mend Mr. Fayrweather, whose character appears to us 
clear and unblemished, to the service of the Churches 
wherever divine Providence opens a door for his useful- 
ness. We can cmly add our earnest and affectionate 
prayers for the Church and people in this place, that 



4 APPENDIX. 

God would overrule all things for therr good and his 
own glory ; give them peace, and direct and succeed 
them in all suitable measures which may hereafter be 
Mken for their settlement. 

Jeremiah Wise, Moderator. 

Stiphen Chace, Scrihi. 



tROM PAGE 22, 

The following character of Dr. Hemmenway is exr 
tracted from the Sermon preached at his funeral by- 
Rev. Dr. Buckminster of Portsmouth. 

The Reverend Moses Hemmemway D. D. was born 
in Framingham, in the vicinity of Boston, the place of 
my forefathers sepulchres, and of the nativity of my 
honored father, from whom I heard the fame of your 
pastor, before I had opportunity to see his face. He 
entered and graduated at Harvard College. He was 
there distinguished for his close application, his patience^- 
of study, his eminent proficiency in the Greek and Ro- 
man classicks, and his acquaintance with theological 
writers of distinction in the learned languages. The 
common degrees of the University he received in their 
order ; and, for his singular merits, he was honored with 
a doctorate, at an earlier period of life than had been 
common for that seminary to i \v'd to its sons. To the 
profession of divinity, and tlic vv: ri of the ministry, he 
ly^s probably devoted in early life, and he sought a 



liberal education, as a desirable and reputable prerC* 
quisite to it. It is certain the great Head of the Church 
had designed him for this service, and furnished hirr^ 
with a rare assemblage of talents, to defend the Gospel, 
and vindicate its truths, against the errors in principle 
and practice, which He foresaw would harrass the 
Church, in the season in which he was to perform his 
ministry. He had a great degree of metaphysical acu- 
men, and accuracy in logical investigation, a kind of 
instinctive perception of the force of an argument, and 
an uncommon patience at disentangling the snarle of 
sophistry, and making plain their perplexing appear- 
ance. 

While the talents and acquirements of your departed 
pastor, would have entitled him to a ministry, in a most 
eminent situation, or to a high office in a seminary of 
science, it was more congenial to his modesty and meek- 
ness, to his habits and manners, to his taste and disposi- 
tion, to be far from the interruptions and snares of 
wealth and grandeur, and from the frivolous etiquettes 
and fashions of the world. Providence opened for him 
a ^eld of service in this highly favored village. For 
you my brethren, God designed him, and you must an- 
swer for such a gift. Here he pursued his favorite 
studies with an ardor and perseverance that were un- 
common under the pressure of difficulties, and in the 
view of obstacles, that would have discouraged almost 
any other man. I presume I do not mistake, when I 
say, that he read and studied the ponderous volumes^ 
csAlod the Father's, when most of his fellow mortals 



6 APPENDIX. 

were lost in sleep, or indulging in indolence. Anxious 
to derive his knowledge from the sacred sources, and 
confirm, or correct his sentiments by their agreement 
or disagreement with that unerring standard, he studied 
the scriptures with great care, and accurate attention. 

With controversial divinity, the Doctor was so fa- 
miliarly acquainted, as not to be confused in his system 
of doctrines, by any objections or arguments that pre- 
tended to novelty, they had been anticipated by him, 
and their review, if it increased his candor, increased his 
conviction of the truth of his own system. The sys- 
tem of doctrines which our departed friend embraced, 
which he preached, and loved, was that which is con- 
tained in the Westminster's assemblies catechism, and 
confession of faith, the doctrines that are stiled the doc- 
trines of the reformation, the doctrines that our fore- 
fathers brought to this country, the doctrines with which 
the constellation of divines, of the former part of the 
last century, enlightened, edified, and comforted the 
Church. The Doctor was a sincere and firm calvinist 
of the oM school, though candid and chnritable to such 
as had their doubts and scruples upon some of its doc- 
trines. He was alarmed at some of the strange cions 
which modern Calvinism has attempted to graft upon 
this stock, and, by the subtleties of metap.'iysics, to 
prove that they were legitimate sprouts from its venera- 
ble roots. Once and again his pen was employed to 
vindicate truth and duty ; such was the estimation in 
■'Which he was held, by his fathers and brethren, that 
their eyes were turned to him when young, to root out 



AITENDIX. 7 

the weeHs that were sown in the field of truth, and to* 
move inapediments cast into the path of duty. As a 
disputant and controversial writer, the Doctor was fair, 
candid, and dispassionate. He contended not for mas- 
tery, but for the support of truth and refutation of error, 
and though he possessed a vein of humour, and could 
dexterously wield the shafts of satire, he never employ- 
ed them to confound his antagonist, or to render ridic- 
ulous what he could not fairly ansvs-er. He wrote, 
either In labored essays, or ephemeral publications, upon 
many of the questions that have been subjects of dispute 
or inquiry in our day ; and if he did not remove all 
difficulties, and satisfy all scruples, it will be conceded 
that he threw light upon all the subjects that he at- 
tempted. 

The revival of the arlan and soci»Ian heresy much a 
larmed and affected the mind and heart of our departed 
friend, principally on account of the loose system of 
doctrines and morals, with which it is connected, and 
in which it invariably Issues : several communications 
of his, under fictitious signatures, have enriched the 
pages of respectable periodical works, and it Is presum- 
ed, he has left with his manuscripts, a more labored dis- 
cussion of the subjects, which it Is hoped will one day 
see the light. 

As a sermonizer, the Doctor was eminent ; h\r, style 
was pare and nervous, his subjects were solemn and im- 
portant ; and however doctrinal or speculative, they al- 
ways ran In an evangelical channel, and issued In prac- 
tical effect. He never offered to the Lord « tliat which 
1 



» APPENDIX. 

cost him nothing." His habit of thoroughly investiga* 
ting a subject, of saying all that was pertinent upon it, 
rendered him often prolix, and sometimes tedious, to 
those who weie soon tired of religious discussions, and 
not sufficiently interested in the all important subject, 
to be engaged by the purity, piety, and soundness of his 
remarks ; but to those " whose spiritual senses were 
pxercised to discern the things of the spirit of God" — and 
who knew how to estimate an address from the sacred 
desk, he was always interesting and edifying. His em- 
inence in this part of his office called him to officiate on 
those public occasions which seek the service of those 
whose praise is in the churches. His Election sermon, 
his Convention sermon, and his Dudlean lecture sermon, 
are second to few, if any, that have been exhibited on 
those occasions. 

As a preacher, the eloquence of our departed friend 
was that of nature and not of art. He felt his subject, 
and with native sim.plicity gave it an impressive influence 
on the hearer. As the Doctor resembled the Apostle 
Paul in some eminent traits that distinguished that in- 
spired character, so he partook in the illiberal remark 
that was made upon that great Apostle of the Gentiles. 
'* His letters, say they are weighty and powerful, but 
his bodily presence weak and his speech contemptible ! " 
But how often did he make the hearer lose sight of all 
other considerations by the merit of his address and the 
impressive manner with which he delivered it. 

In devotional exercises, the Doctor was always pious 
•and devout. He was a man of prayer. Upon special 



APPENDIX. 9 

occasions, he ordinarily excelled, accomm6dating him- 
self with a peculiar pertinency, that inteiested and af- 
fected all who joined with him. He was equally re- 
moved from the rhapsodies of enthusiasts, the wildness 
of fanatics, and the coldness and indifference of philo- 
sophic christians, who think the passions have nothing 
to do with religion. But with these eminent qualities 
and talents there were combined, as the most prominent 
traits In the Doctor's chaiacter mildness and meekness, 
an unobtrusiveness of temper and deportment, a dispo- 
sition to esteem others better than himself. In this he 
resembled the leader of God's people, inheriting his 
spirit, as he bore his name. 

But that which was the crown upon all his facultie?, 
and was the excellency of his excellencies, they were 
sanctified by divine grace and devoted to the service and 
honor of God. At w^hat period of life, the power of 
divine grace took possession of the heart of our pious 
friend, I believe he did not pretend to decide. He fully 
believed the necessity of a spiritual change, by the su- 
pernatural agency and influence of the Holy Ghost, and 
he gave more and more evidence to all that knew him, 
that he was a subject of this change ; and he obtained 
more and more, the assurance of hope that he had re- 
ceived that " living water," which as a " well of water 
was springing up to everlasting life," conforming him 
to the spirit and temper of Christ, and transforming him 
into the divine image. 



10 APPENDIX. 

No. 3. 

FROM PAGE 27. 

The manner in which Mr. Wade proceeded in gathx 
ering the Church at Berwick, is thus ftated in his own 
hand writing in the ancient record of that Church : 

"(A D. 1701. Dec. 21. After a meeting on the 
Lord's day.) At a meeting notified a fortnight before, 
in order to the gathering of a church, divers persons 
appearing, I began with prayer. After which I plainly 
discoursed before them about the nature of a church, 
and the necessity, advantage,and signification of Christ's 
ordinances. After which I asked every person there 
by name whether they were desirous to join together in 
Church order ? Then taking notice of the persons con- 
senting, I charged them in the name of the Lord Jesus 
Christ not for any vain end whatever to desire an ap- 
proach to Christ's ordinances, but to draw near to 
Christ therein. 

1. With a right understanding of them. 

2. With a sense of duty. 

3. With a sense of their need of them as helps for 
*he increase of grace and mortifying of sin. 

Then I counselled them, if any were offended at, or- 
unsatisfied about joining with any person or persons who 
had now oflPered themselves, that they should by no 
means expose their names by openly objecting against 
them, but in due time privately inform me about the 
fame, that satisfaction might be either given or a stop 
put to the offending pei sons proceeding, without an^ 



APPENDIX. 41 

blast of his reputation, or discouragement to his future 
oflFering himself when better prepared. Finally, I ap- 
pointed a private meeting to be on the first Monday of 
March 1702 signifying that before that meeting they 
must be examined by me and publicly propounded for 
satisfaction about their conversation, and so they were 
difmiffed with prayer. 

Before the second meeting the several persons were 
privately examined as to their creed, by such questions 
as these — By whom were you made ? How many per- 
sons are there in the Deity ? In what condition were we 
first created ? Did we so continue ? What are we by 
nature ? What are the wages of sin ? How do you 
hope to be saved ? Who is Jesus Christ ? Is he God, or 
man, or both ? Why was It necessary that he should be 
man ? Why that he should be God as well as man ? What 
must we do to be Interested in Christ ? Is no faith true 
without repentance and obedience ; Must those that 
would be saved through Christ observe Gospel ordlnan- 
ces as well as the moral law ? How many sacraments 
are there, and which ? What Is signified In Baptism > 
What is signified by the Lord's supper ; Do you believe 
there will be a resurrection of the dead ? and a general 
judgment ? What will then be the portion of true believ- 
ers ? And what will become of unbelievers ? To which 
questions after they had given a satisfactory answer I 
drew forth their profession by questions to this purpose — 
Were you ever convicted of your own sinfulnefs and 
clanger thereby ? Do you (so far as you know your own 
heart) repent of and desire to forsake all your sins ? do 
you not only see the necessity and sufficiency of Christ, 
1* 



IS APPENDIX. 

but do you trust to him alone to save you ? Are yois 
desirous to walk in his ordinances as it is your duty and 
spiritual privilege ? Do you (or will you) endeavour to 
obey him in every thing, not satisfying yourselves in 
complying only with some particular precepts ? Do you 
willingly subject yourself to the government of Christ's 
house, ys well as aim at the privileges of it ? — Having 
leceived also an answer of consent to these questions I 
publicly propounded them a fortnight before the second 
meeting, none objecting against their conversation. 

March 2nd, 1702. Was our second meeting, where 
after thanksgiving to God for such a prospect of his 
favor as was before us, and imploring his assisting and 
succeeding grace in our enterprize, I gave an account 
of the satisfaction I had received of them severally ; re- 
peating over the above said questions to them and the 
5ura of their answers, amounting to an entire confession 
of faith in the fundamentals of Christianity, telling them 
that they ivere severally conscious of my dealing with 
them as above said, and as each had expressed his an- 
swer so all had to the substance thereof, so that they 
\vere all professedly of one faith. I then propounded 
whether they were satisfied to the conversation of or^e 
another ? They signified that they were. Upon which 
I read to them a confession of faith, and Church cove- 
nant, to which they jointly assented. Then after renew- 
ing a word of warning and exhortation to them we 
agreed to keep a day of public fasting and prayer on 
June 4th, and so dismissed them with prayer. 
June 4, 1702, — Being fast day, the Rev. Mr. Johi> 



APPENDIX. iS 

Pike Pastor of the Church of Christ at Dover,* Mr> 
Samuel Emery, Pastor of the Church at Wells, and Mr* 
Samuel Moody, Pastor of the Church at York, coming 
to our assistance : after prayer and a Sermon by Mr, 
Pike for our direction, Mr. Pike, &c. taking cognizance 
of our proceedings, and seeing all their assent to the arti* 
cles of faith and form of Covenant then publicly read, 
and their satisfaction one with another, pronounced 
them a Church of Jesus Christ. Upon which they sig- 
nified their choice of J. Wade as their Pastor." 



NO. 4<. 

FROM PAGE SI. 

Confession oi: faith of the 1st Church in Kittery sub> 
scribed Nov. 4, 171 4. 

"This confession of faith made Nov. 4, 1714 in the 
presence of the Rev. Elders and Messengers of the 
Churches, viz. of Portsmouth, York, Wells, Berwick, 
and New-Castle j at which time the Church was gath- 
ered, in Kittery. 

1. We believe that there is one only living and true 
God, eternal and infinite in Being and all perfections ; 
subsisting in three persons. Father, Son and Holy 
Ghost, being one in substance, equal in power and 
glory. 

2. That this glorious God is the maker, preserver, 
^nd disposer of all things for his own glory. 

S. That God in the beginning made man upright, 



14} APPENDIX. 

after his own image, having the law of God written on. 
his heart, with power to fulfil, and endowed with natu. 
ral abilities to serve and glorify his Maker : and sa 
made capable hj doing his will to secure his favour in 
a state of immortality ; yet under a possibility of trans- 
gressing being left to the liberty of his own will which 
was subject to change. 

4. That all mankind sinned in their first Parents, 
and brake God*s command, and so, forfeited and lost 
God's favour and all happiness : and thereby exposed 
themselves to a state of sinfuhiess and misery, the curse 
of the law, the wrath of God unto death spiritual, tem- 
poral, and eternal. 

5. That raan having lost his original righteousness, 
and become a sinner is utterly disabled of himself to 
perform that obedience which is required to salvation. 

6. That God from his great love to mankind (as 
one special motive) sent his only begotten Son Jesus 
Christ into the world, in the likeness of sinful flesh, to 
be a Mediator between God and man, to redeem us, 
and perform this obedience for us. 

7. That the Lord Jesus Christ according to an 
eternal covenant transacted between the Father and 
Himself assumed the human nature to the divine ; and 
became God-man, having two distinct natures in one 
person. 

8. That Christ in respect of his Divine nature Is truly 
God, coequal with the Father from eternity, and in re- 
spect of his human nature, he is truly a man, having 
(or taking to himself) a r«al body, and a reasonable 



APPENDIX. *^ 

scul, and made like unto his brethren in all points ex* 

eept sin. 

9. That this hypostatical or real union of two dis^ 
tiflct natures in the same person, did completely fit 
him for the office of a Mediator between God and 

man. 

10. That by virtue of his human nature he was made 
capable of feeling our infirmities and offering up of 
himself to God for an atonement for sin, whereby he 
hath suffered, and satisfied for sin, in the same nature 
in which it was committed. 

11. That by virtue of his divine nature he hath sane- 
tified this great sacrifice, and made it of sufficient value 
for that ****** (MS wanting.) 

12. That Christ our Immanuel hath fulfilled all 
righteousness for us by his active and passive obedience, 
whereby he hath obtained eternal redemption for all 
that believe and obey him. 

That the Lord Jesus Christ as: Mediator, is the 
Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Saviour of 
his Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the 

world. 

14. That all Christianity is comprehended in faith 

and obedience. 

15. That Jesus Christ as Mediator is the proper ob- 
ject of faith and prayer. 

16. That the faith whereby we are interested in Je^ 
sus Christ is the gift of God, ordinarily wrought in us 
by the preaching of the word, whereby we are per- 
suaded to accept, receive and rest upon Christ alonej 



16 APPEKDIX. 

for justification, sanctlfication, and eternal life ; the In- 
separable adjuncts, and consequents, and fruits of 
which are faith, repentance, and new obedience. 

J 7. That unfeigned subjection to the laws and insti- 
tutions of Christ is the sum of gospel obedience. 

18. That whosoever believes in Jesus Christ, re- 
ceives him, and submits to him, in all his offices, and 
lives according to his Gospel commands, shall be justi- 
fied and saved. 

19. That religious worship is to be given to God 
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to him alone. 

20. That prayer with thanksgiving being one spe- 
cial part of religious worship, is required of all men, 
and that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the 
name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according 
to the will of God. 

21. That Christ is personally present in heaven, pow- 
erfully present «very where, and spiritually present in 
his saints. 

22. That as the Father hath loved us, and the Son 
redeemed us, so the Holy Ghost doth quicken and 
sanctify us to every good work here, and to his heaven- 
ly kingdom hereafter. 

23. That Christ hath his Church in all ages of the 
world, which he will redeem, govern, and preserve, and 
in time, by his word and spirit, effectually call and 
make partakers of the benefits of redemption, viz. jus- 
tification, adoption, sanctification, and eternal glory. 

24-. That a true Church of Christ is a company of 
holy and believing persons joined together by a special 



APPENDIX. if 

bond or covenant to walk and worship God according 
to gospel rules and ordinances. 

25. That believers are made a particular Church by 
mutually professing the same faith, submitting them- 
selves to one another, and all to and under Christ the 
head in the way of his ordinances. 

26. That gospel sacraments are holy ordinances in- 
stituted by Christ himself, to be perpetually observed 
in his Church, wherein by sensible signs, Christ and the 
benefits of the covenant ©f grace are represented, seal- 
ed, and applied. 

27. That the Sacraments of the New Testament are 
only two, viz. Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 

28. That Baptism is a Sacrament wherein is signi- 
fied and sealed our ingrafting into Christ and partaking 
of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our en- 
gagement to be the Lord's. 

29. That Baptism is a privilege belonging to be- 
lievers and their children. 

30. That the Lord's supper is a Sacrament wheieia 
by giving and receiving bread and wine according ta 
Christ's appointment his death is represented to us, his 
merits and benefits offered to us, and received by us, 
not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith 
and holy affections, for our spiritual nourishment and 
growth in grace to eternal life. i^ 

31. That there shall be a resurrection of the body 
for substance, (though much altered as to the qualities 
and circumstances thereof) and a reuniting of it to the 
same soul when it shall appear before Christ in tlie 



i^ APPENDIX. 

great and last day of judgment to receive an eternal 

sentence of happiness or misery* 

32. That God hath appointed a day wherein he will 

judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, and 

that every one shall then receive a reward according to 

his works. 

3S. That the Holy Scriptures contained in the Old 

and New Testament is the perfect and only rule of 

faith and manners. 

34?. That the Holy Spirit is our guide, director, and 

helper, both to understand and walk by this rule. 

35. That as many as walk according to this rule 

with an upright heart shall enjoy communion with Goi. 

here, and .everlasting happiaess and glory hereafter." 

(Signed) 

John Newmarck, Samuel Skillin, 

William Pepperrell» Samuel Hutchins, 

Elihu Gunnison, John Adams, 

John Dennet, James Fernald, 

Henry Barter, Dodavah Curtise,, 

John Fernald, Thomas Rice, 

Ebenezer Emones, George Jackson, 

Joseph Mitchell, John Ford, 

John Ingersoll, Samuel Ford. 

These, with twenty-five females, constituted th6 

Church, of which Henry Barter and John Fernal4 

^ere appointed Deacons. 



No. 5. 

FROM PAGE 83. 

I'^he following extract from a Sermon delivered at 
the funeral of Rev. Mr. Foxcroft by Rev. Jonathan 
Scott of Minot, well exhibits some parts of his private 
character, and shews the estimation in which he was 
held. 

" Mr. Foxcroft evidently appeared to possess andex- 
|)ress the true fear of God, both in word and deed. 
He well knew, and appeared to reahze, that God could 
net be deceived, and would not be mocked ; under 
which sense he often had sore exercise of spirit about 
his state, whether he was a subject of godly sincerity ; 
which occasioned his opening his mind with evident 
concern, and stating many difficulties and cases of con- 
science, for solution, that he might not mistake, or be 
deceived in the great concernment of his salvation. 
The stating his difficulties, in many instances, mani- 
fested what a deep sense, and high relish of divine 
things was impressed on his soul ; and what an exten- 
sive knowledge he had of the human heart, its deep 
depravity and deceivings. He could not be quiet with 
mere externals in religion, nor with those flights oi af- 
fection, arising from excited passions, or even from com- 
mon illuminations of the spirit : nothing seemed to sat- 
isfy him, short of the faith, which overcomes the heart, 
purifies it, mortifies its pride and worldliness, and acts 
out its divine nature, in persevering obedience to all 
God's commands and ordinances. And when he sus- 



^0 APPENDIX. 

pected he was wanting of true faith, and love to God 
iind men, with their proper fruits, he was uncomfortable, 
and cast down. He appeared hke one carrying a rich 
treasure of gold and precious stones, among thieves and 
robbers, fearful of being plundered. 

I often thought strange of his frequent application to 
pne so far inferior to himself, with respect to his extensive 
reading, his great and long acquaintance with the 
system of divinity, his age and long experience in a 
religious life. But the truth is, Rev. Mr. Foxcroft was 
clothed fwith humility* and minded not high things, but con- 
descended to men of low estate ;f and had learned, in 
lowliness of mind to esteem others better than himself. \ 

He loved retirement, and was but little abroad, in the 
last years of his life. He did not seek his felicity and 
chief satisfaction in passing much of his time in crowds 
of company, whether rich or poor : and yet he enter, 
tained his friends with much sociability, openness, ci- 
vility, kindness and friendship. He was to appearance, 
much abstracted from the world. He appeared no 
way fearful of coming to want, nor was he in the habit 
of contriving to advance his worldly interest, or that 
of his ckildren ; but his conversation and behaviour 
appeared like that of a stranger and pilgrim on the 
earth. § 

Mr. Foxcroft appeared affectionately concerned for 
the spiritual ajid eternal welfare of his children. In a 
solemn, understanding manner would he set before 



# I Pet. V. $. +Rom. xii, l6. 

♦Phil.ii. 5. § Heb, Ki. I*. 



APPENDIX. ^i 

them the necessity and importance of their being recon- 
ciled to God, and devoted to his service ; and often re- 
quested assistance on their behalf, that their minds and 
hearts might be sfiitablj impressed with a sense of di- 
vine things. And the day before he kft the world, 
being as well, to appearance, in bodily health as he had 
been for days before, he was observed to be earnestly 
engaged in prayer to God for his cbildrent and grand 
children, that the blessings of God might descend and 
rest upon them. 

Mr. Foxcroft was a man of prayer. His approaches 
to the Divine Majesty, were accompanied with the 
deepest humility of speech and gesture, and awful 
sense of the infinite distance between the glorious and 
holy God, and sinful man. The wants and necessities 
of sinful men he well understood j and his expressions in 
prayer were suitable, solemn, and easy to be understood. 
As to fervour in prayer, he appeared to be a true son 
of Jacob, possessing a spirit of prayer and faith. Fre- 
quently, in prayer, he seemed as if his very heart and 
soul went forth with his petitions to God. We have 
reason to hope, that his departed spirit is now with that 
God and Saviour whom he sought and served with 
tears. He has got through death, and, as we may hope, 
has left his weakness, his fears and sighs behind ; rest- 
ing from his labours and sorrows, in assured expecta- 
tion of the refinement and recovery of his body from the 
grave, when he shall be a joylul witness of the truth of 
our text, and see death swallowed up in victory," 



Wi AFPENDIX. 

No. 6. 

A Table exhibiting at one view the names of all the 
Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers who have 
ever been settled in Maine, with the number of the 
years of their ministry. 

ARIIANGED IN GOUNTIES. 



C&VNTY OF YORK. 



Name of 


Names of the Ministers. 


When 


Years 




the Town. 




or dallied. 


served 


[. How reaovii^. 


York, 1st Shubael Dummey 


1673 


19 


Killed by 


Church. 








the Indians. 




Samuel Moody, 


1700 


47 


Died. 




Isaac Lyman, 


1749 


61 


Died. 




Rosewell Messenger, 


1798 


15 


Dismissed. 




Moses Dow, 


1815 






2nd 


Joseph Moody, 


1732 


6 


Dismissed. 


Church. 


Samuel Chandler, 


1742 


10 


Dismissed. 




Samuel Lankton, 


1754 


40 


Died. 




Isaac Briggs, 


1798 


7 


Dismissed. 


Wells. 


Samuel Emery, 


1701 


24 


Died. 




Samuel JefFerds, 


1725 


27 


Died. 



Gideon Richardson, 1754 4 Died. 

Moses Hemmenway, 1759 51 Died. 

Benjamin White, 1811 2 Died 

Jonathan Greenleaf, 1815 



APPENDIX. 



2S 



Name of KamC of the Ministers, 

the Towns, 

South John Wade, 
Berwick. Jeremiah WioC, 
Jacob Foster, 
John Thompson, 

Kittery John Newmarch, 
IstChh. Benjamin Stevens j 
Jonas Hartwell, 
William Briggs, 
Stephen Merrill, 
2nd Chh. Josiah Chace, 

Joseph Litchfield, 

Eliot. John Rogers, 

Alpheus Spiing, 
Samuel Chandler, 



Biddeford,Samuel Williard, 
1st Chh. Moses Morrill, 

Nathaniel Webster, 
2nd Chh. John Turner, 

Arundel, Thomas Prentice, 
now Ken- John Hovey, 
nebunk Silas Moody, 
port. George Pay son, 

Joseph P. Fessenden, 



Wlien Years 

ordained. served. How removed 

1702 1 Died. 

1707 49 Died. 

1757 21 Dismissed. 
1778 

1714 40 Died. 

1750 40 Died. 

1791 6 Dismissed, 

1798 16 Dismissed. 

1821 

1750 28 Died. 

1782 

1721 52 Died> 

1768 23 Died 
1792 

1730 11 Died. 

1742 35 Died. 
1779 
1805 

1730 8 

1741 27 

1771 45 

1816 4 
1820 



12 Dismissed. 

Dismissed. 
Dismissed. 
Died. 
Dismissed. 



Kenne- Daniel Little, 
bunk. Nathaaiel H. Fletcher, 1 8Q0 



1750 51 Died. 



;« 


APPENDIX. 






of 


Name of the Min-.-ters. 


When 


Vea/8 




• IS. 




ordained. 


served. 


How rcmoveu. 


iA^i WiCk. 


John Mofie, 


1755 


10 


Died. 




Matchew Merriam, 


1765 


32 


Died. 




Joseph HiUiard, 


1797 






Saco. 


John Fairfield, 


1762 


34 


Dismissed. 




Elihu Whitcomb, 


1799 


11 


Dismissec^ 




Jonathan Cogswell, 


1810 






Buxton. 


Paul Coffin, 
Levi Loring, 


1763 
1817 


58 


Died. 


Lebanon 


. Isaac Hasey, 


1765 


47 


Died. 




Paul Jewett, 


1814. 


5 


Dismissed* 



Sanford. Moses Sweat, 



1786 



Alfred. John Turner, 
Joseph Brown, 
Nathan Douglas, 


1791 
1805 
1816 


13 

4 


Dismissed, 
Dismissed 


Liming- 
ton. Jonathan Atkinson, 


1794 


20 


Dismissed. 


Parsons- 
field. Benjamin Rolfe, 


1795 


20 


Dismissed. 


Limerick. Edmuod Eastman, 
Charles Freeman, 


1795 
1820 


17 


Died. 


Shapleigh. .Joseph Brown, 


1796 


S 


Dismissed. 


New field. John Dane. 


ISOS 


1 


Lisri^isse^d. 


Lyman. Jonathan Calef, 


1801 







APPENDIX, 



^ 



COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND. 



When Years 
ordained served. 

68 
50 



Name of 

the Town. Names of the. Ministers. 

Portland Thomas Smith, 1727 

IstChh. Samuel Deane, 1764- 

Ichabod Nichols, 1809 

2d Chh. Elijah Kellogg, 1788 

Edward Pay son, 1807 
3d Chh. Nathan S. S. Beeman, 1808 

Chapel Elijah Kellogg, 1812 

Chh. Thomas J. Murdock, 1819 



2a 



How removed. 

Died. 
Died. 

Dismissed;, 

Dismissed* 

Dismissed^ 



Scarbor- William Thompson, 17^7 32 Died. 



ough, Thomas Pierce, 1762 

IstChh. Thomas Lancaster 1775 



12 Died. 



2d Chh. 


Richard Elvins, 


1744. 


31 


Died. 




Benjamin Chadwick, 


1776 


19 


Dismissed. 




Nathan Tilton, 


1800 






North- 


Ammi R. Cutter, 


1730 


s 


Dismissed. 


Yar- 


Nicholas Loring, 


1736 


27 


Died. 


mouth, 


Edward Brooks, 


1764 


5 


Dismissed. 


1st Chh. 


Tristram Gilman, 


1769 


40 


Died. 




Francis Brown, 


1810 


5 


Dismfssedo 




Joseph W. Curtis, 


1816 


1 


Dismissed* 




Samuel Woodbury, 


1817 


2 


Died. 




Asa Cummings, 


1821 






2d Chh. 


John Dutton, 

Otis Crosby Whiton, 


1806 
1817 


8 


Dismissed 


Chapel 










Chh. 


Noah Cresey, 


I82a 







S6 


APPENDIX. 






Name of 




When 


Years 




the Town. 


Names of the Ministers. 


ordained, served. 


How removed. 


Cape 


Benjamin Allen, 


17^4 


20 


Died. 


Eliza- 


Ephiaim Clark, 


1756 


41 


Died. 


beth. 


William Gregg, 


1801 


6 


Dismissed. 




Benjamin Sawyer, 


1809 


3 


Dismissed* 




William Gregg, 


1815 






Wind- 


John Wight, 


1743 


10 


Diecf. 


ham. 


Peter T. Smith, 


1762 


30 


Dismissed. 




Nathaniel Stone, 


1798 


6 


Dismissed. 




Asa Lyman, 


1809 € 


1 mo. 


Dismissed. 



Gardiner Kellogg, 1811 



Gorham. Solomon Lombard, 1750 14 Dismissed. 



Harps- 
well. 

znouih. 



Josiah Thatcher, 


1767 12 


Dismissed, 


Caleb Jewett, 


178S 17 


Died. 


Jeremiah Noyes, 


1803 3 


Died. 


Asa Rand, 


1809 





Bruns- Robert Dunlap, 
wick. John Miller, 

Ebenezer Coffin, 
Winthrop Bailey, 



Eli^h;i Eat^n, 
San '^! Eaton, 



1747 13 Dismissed. 

1762 26 Died. 

1794 8 Dismissed,; 

1811 3 Dismissed. 



1753 
1764 



11 Died. 



J-hn Wis"7:i11. 1756 8 Dismissed. 

Hbenrzer \'*^5r; .ns, 1765 34 Died. 
W iiiiam Mikimoi e, 1 803 





APPENDIX, 




'^ 


Name- of 
the Town. 


Ntmei 6f the Ministers, 


When 
ordained. 


Years 

served 


. How removed. 


West- 


Thomas Browne, 


1765 


32 


Died. 


brook. 


Caleb Bradley, 


1799 






New. 


Samuel Foxcroft, 


1765- 


28 


Dismissed* 


Glouces. 


Elisha Moseley, 


1802 






ter. 










Standisfe 


. John Thompson, 


1768 


15 


Dismissed. 




Jonathan Gould, 


1793 


1 


Died. 




Daniel Maret, 


1795 






aray. 


Samuel Nash, 


1775 


7 


Dismissed, 




Samuel Perley, 


1784 


7 


Dismissed. 




Daniel Weston, 


1803 







Bridgeton. Nathan Church, 1789 



Cumber- Rufus Andersott> 
land. Amasa Smith, 
Samuel Stone, 

Durham. Jacob Herrick, 



1794 10 Dismissed. 
1806 lit Dismissed. 
1821 

1796 



Minot 

1st Chh. Jonathan Scott, 

2dChh. William Pidgin, 



1796 23 Died. 
1811 8 Dismissed 



SS APPENBIX* 






>Jame of Nam«» of tite Ministers. 


When 


Years 




•he Towns. 


OTdaiued 


served. 


How retnoveil. 


Freeport. Alfred Johnson, 


1789 


16 


Dismissed*. 


Samuel Veazie, 


1806 


2 


Died. 


Reuben Nason, 


1810 


5 


Dismissed. 


Enos Merrill, 


1816 







Otisfield. Thomas Roby, 1797 14 Dismissed. 

'' Josiah G. Merrill, 1814 



JPownal. Perez Chapin, 



1811 



COUNTY OF LINCOLN. 



New- Alexander Boyd, 
Castle. Thurston Whiting, 
Kiah Bayley, 

George- 
town. Ezekiel Emerson, 

Wool- Josiah Winship, 

wich. Jonathan Adams 

Booth- John Murray, 
bay. John Sawyer, 

Jabez T'ond Fisher, 
Isaac Weston, 



1754 


4 


Dismissed. 


1776 


5 


Dismissecl. 


1797 






1765 


50 


Died. 


1764 






1817 






1766 


13 


Dismissed. 


1796 


10 


Dismissed. 


1809 


7 


Dismissfiid. 


1818 







Name of 
the Town. 


Name of the Miuisters. When 
ordained. 


Years 
served 


How remove*. 


Bath 
1st Chh. 

2d Chh. 


Francis Winter, 
Hugh Wallis, 
Asa Lyman, 
John W. Ellingwoodj 
William Jenks, 


1767 
1795 
1806 
1812 
1805 


19 
5 
2 

12 


Dismissed. 
Dismissed. 
Dismissed. 

Dismissed. 


Bristol. 


Alexander McLean, 
William Riddel 
Jonathan Belden, 


1773 
1796 
1807 


32 

8 

10 


Died. 

Dismissed. 
Dismissed. 


Wiscas- 

§6t. 


Thomas Moore, 
Alden Bradford, 
Hezekiah Packard, 


1773 
1793 
1802 


18 

7 


Dismissed. 
Dismissed. 


Warren. 


John Urquhart, 
Jonathan Huse, 


1775 
1795 


8 


Dismissed. 


Topsham. Jonathan Ellis, 


1789 


20 


Dismissed. 


Alna. 


Jonathan Ward 
Samuel Johnson, 


1796 
1818 


20 


Dismissed, 


Edge- 
comb. 


Benjamin Chatman, 
Samuel Sewall, 


1801 
1807 


4 
11 


Died. 
Dismissed.. 


Dresden 


. Freeman Parker, 


1801 






Union. 


Henry True, 


1806 


10 


Dismissed. 


Camden. Thomas Cochran, 


1805 


10 


Dismissed. 



so 



APPENDIX^ 



THzme ef 
the Towns. 



Nam e of the Ministers. When Years 

ordained, served. How rcwioved . 



Waldo- John R. Cutting, 1807 4 Dismissed 

borough. David M. Mitchell, 1816 

Thomas. JtDhn Lord, 1809 2 Dismissed* 

ton. John H. lograham, 1817 



COUNTY OF HANCOCKi 






Deer Isle. Peter Powers, 


1785 


14 


Died. 


Joseph Brown, 


1809 


10 


Died. 


Sedge- 








wick. Daniel Merrill, 


1793 


10 


Dismissed. 


Penobscot. Jonathan Powers, 


1795 


12 


Died. 


Philip Spaulding, 


1809 


3 


Dismissed. 


Biuehill. Jonathan Fisher, 


1796 






Belfast. Ebenezer Price, 


1796 


6 


Dismissed. 


Alfred Johnson, 


1805 


8 


Dismissed. 


Wm. Frothingham, 


1819 






Castine. William Mason, 


1798 






Bucksport. Mighill Blood, 


1803 






Ellsworth. Peter Nourse, 


1812 






Prospect. Christ'r J. Lawton, 


1815 







COUNTY OF WASHINGTOV. 

Machias. James Lyon, 1781 13 

Clark Browne, 1795 2 

Marshfield Steele, 1800 

Abraham Jackson, 1821 



Died. 

Dismissed.. 



APPENDIX. 



Si 



^arae of 
the Towns. 



Naiv.t of the Ministers. When Years 

oxdainecL served. How reraovtd. 



Robbin- 

ston. Daniel Lovej 07, 1818 6m. Dismissed. 

I^ubec. Jonathan Bigelow, 1821 



COUNTY OF KENNEBECK. 






Winthrop, David Jewett, 

Jonathan Belden, 


1782 
1800 


1 
5 


Died. 
Dismissed. 


David Thurston, 


1807 






Augusta. Isaac Foster, 


1786 


2 


DismI sed. 


Daniel Stone, 


1795 


11 


Dismissed. 


Benjamin Tappan, 
Hallowell. Eliphalet Glllet, 


1811 
1795 






Winslow. Joshua Cushman, 


1796 


18 


Dismissed. 


Temple. David Smith, 


1810 


9 


Dismissed. 


Bittston. Daniel Kendrick, 


1812 


8 


DIsmissecfc 


New-Sha- 
ron. Hezeklah Hall, 


1815 


9 m 


. Dismisse<i 


Vassalbo- 

rough. Thomas Adams, 


1818 






Chesterville.Jothara Sewall, 


1820 







COUNTT OF CXFORB. 

Fryeburg. William Fessenden, 1765 40 Died. 

Francis L. Whiting, 1809 8 Dif.missed, 

"^rumer. John Striclcland, 1784- 13 Dlsmis^c-c?. 

Amasa Smith, 1804 2 Dismissed, 

Allen Greely, 1810 



BS 


APPENDIX. 






Name of 

the lown. Names of the Ministers. < 

Bethel. Daniel Gould, 


When Veafs 
jrdaincd, served. 

1799 10 


How rcmftvW: 

Dismissed. 




Heury Sewall, 


1819 


1 


Dismissed. 


Waterford. 


. Lincoln Ripley, 
John A. Douglas, 


1799 
1821 


22 


Dismissed. 


Andover. 


John Strickland, 


1806 






Brownfield 


!. Jafcob Rice, 


1806 






Norway. 


Noah Cresey, 


1809 


io 


Dismissed. 


Rumford. 


SamUel R. Hall, 
baniel Gould, 


1811 
1815 


3 


Died. 


Sumner. 


Samuel Sewall, 


1812 






Hebron. 


Henry Sewall, 


1812 


3 


Dismissed 


Weld. 


David Starret, 


1821 








County of Somerset. 




^loomfield. Nathaniel Whitaker,1784 


5 


Dismissed*- 




Jonathan Calef, 


1794 


7 


Dismissed. 




John Cayford, 


1809 


^ 


Dismissed. 


i^orri^ge^ 
ivock. 


Fifield Holt, 
Josiah Peet, 


1814 
1814 








County of Pe 


;nobscot. 




feangor. 


Seth Noble, 


1788 


8 


Dismissed;. 




James Boyd, 


1800 


1 


Dismissed'. 




?Harvey Loomis, 


1811 






Brew&r. 


Thomas Williams, 


, 1812 







APPENDIX, S^ 

Vacant Churches in the several counties af 

the present time, 

York, - * . . .• 7 

Gumberlajid, - - - 4 

Lincoln, « « • 8 

Hancock, - « , - & 

Washington, - r 3' 

Kennebeck, - - - 8 

Oxford, - • . . IQ 

Somerset* . - - 9 

Penobscot, t- - - 4 

Total 61 

Since tlie settlement of the State, there have been s^^- 
tied within its limits 222 Congregational and Presbyte- 
rian Ministers ; of these 55 have died in the work, 9^ 
liave been dismissed, and 71 still rema]iH 



34 APPENDIX^ 

No. 7. 

A table shewing the number of Congregational and 
Presbyterian Ministers in Maine at the end of every 
ten^ years, from the year 1700. 



Years. 



1700 


1 

1 





8 



X 




1 



c 







E 

o 

Vi 




1 




1 


1710 


3 




















a 





' 3 


1720 


4 


























4 


nao 


7 


3 























10 


1740 


6 


4 























10 


1750 


10 


8 























18 


1760 


11 


8 























19 


1770 


14 


13 


4 











1 








32 


1780 


13 


14 


7 











1 








35 


1790 


15 


16 


5 


1 


1 





2 





1 


41 


1800 


21 


17 


10 


5 


1 


4 


3 


1 


1 


63 


1810 


20 


22 


15 


6 


1 


4 


6 


1 





75 



1820 16 22 11 6 1 5 6 2 2 71 



APPEND I Xi 



30 



No. 8. 

r»OM PAGE 214'. 

An account of the Churches and Mmisters of the 
Galvinistic Baptists in Maine, with the date of thegath-- 
cring of each Chuich, as far as it was known, and the 
number of members in the several bodies as reported 
in their annual minutes for 1820. Arranged in Coun-- 
ties. The names of ordained ministers are in Roman 
letters, those of > licentiates are in italics. 





COUNTY OF YORK. 




Name of ' 
the Town. 

Arundeli 
2dChk 


Date of 

the Chh. 

1803 


Names of the Ministers. 

Jotham Day, 


No. of 
member^ 

^ 21 
21 


Berwick, 
2d Chh. 


1768 
180^ 


Joshua Chace, 
Nathaniel Lord, 
Alexander Hatchy 


130 
87 


3d Chh. 


1808 




U 


Buxton, 


1798 


Abner Flandersj 


SO 


Cornish, 


1792 


Timothy Remick, 


6^ 


Hollis, 


1807 




43 


licbanon, 


1801 


Zebedee Delano> 
Samuel Knox, 


S7 


l^erjcl?, 


1796 


Atherton Clark- 

3* 


5ff 



3t> APPENDIX. 




Name of Date of 
the Town. the Church. 

Limington, 1802 


Names of the Ministrra. 

John Seavey, 
Ebenezer P. Kinsman, 


No. <^ 
members. 

53 


Lyman, 1782 


Simon Lock, 
Nathaniel Litthjid^ 


83^ 


Newfield, 1807 
2d Chh. 




19 
14 


ParsORsfield, 1796 


Wentworth Lord, 


140 


Sandford, 1772 


Gideon Cook, 


130 


Shapleigh, 1781 
2d Chh. 1785 


William Godding, 
John Chadbourne, 


103 
46 


South-Berwick, 


Ebenezer L. Boyd, 




Waterborough 1791 
2d Chh. 1804* 


Henry Smith, 


102 

rs 


Wells, 1780 
2d Chh. 1803 


Joseph Eaton, 
Oliver Barron, 
Joshua Roberts, 


65 


COUNTY 


or CUMBERLAND. 




Bridgton, 1807 


Reuben Ball 
Nichelat Bray^ 


60 


Brunswick, 1789 


Benjamin Titcomb, 
Shimuel Owen, 


215 


Cape EJizabeth, 


Noah Hooper, 


3^ 





APPE^^DIX, 


w 


Name of 


Date of 




No. of 


the Tov»-n. the Church. 


Name of the Mjni8te>s. 


member^ 


Danville, 


1808 


Joseph Roberts, 


e5 


Freeport, 


1807 


Benjamin Titcomb, jr. 


4^ 


Harps\Tell, 


1786 


Samuel Marriner, 


90 


Minct 


1807 


George Ricker, 


SO- 


NewGloucester 1 794* 


Robert Low, 


36 


North. Yar 








mouth, 


179T 


Stephen Chapm, 


125 


Portland, 


180i 


Thomas B. Ripley, 


175. 


Scarboroug.b, 






1^-^ 




COUNTY OF LINCOLN. 




Appleton, 




jibithar Richardson, 


47- 


Bath, 


1810 


Silas Stearns, 


197 


Bowdoin 


1788 


Joseph Denslow, 


122 


2nd. Chh. 


1805 




95 


Bowdoinham, 


1784._ 


Daniel Pier son, 
Elihu Purrlngton 


59 


Bristol iff Mis 


" 






congus Islanc 


. 1792 


Samuel A. Flaggy 


31 


Camden, 


1808 




42 


2d. Chh. 


1808 




4* 


Friendship & 








Cashing, 


1800 




72 


Hope 






69 


Je£ferson, 


1808 


William Allen,. 


12* 


2d. Chh. 


1808 


William Burbankt 


47 


Lewiston, 


1792 


Benjamin Cole, 
James Garcelon, 


66. 


lisbcft 




Daniel Pierce, 


60^ 



Name of 


Date of 


APPENDIX* 


No. of' 


J&he Town the Church. 


Name of the Ministers. 


jnembci%. 


'^d. Chh. 




. 


19 


Litchfield, 






142 


2d. Chh. 




William Stinson, 


54> 


Martinicus, 


1808 




2S 


Montville, 


1807 


^ob Cushmanv 


35 


2d Chh. 


1812 




35 


MountEphraim 1801 




34/ 


Nobleborough,! 7 93 


Phinehas Pilsbury, 


144 


2d Chh. 




Adoniram Judson, . 


24 


Palermo, 


1805 


Stephen Dexter, 


43 


2d Chh. 


1809 




56 


Stetson, 


1807 




28 


St. George, 


1789 


Benjamin Eames, • 


93 


2d Chh. 






87 


Thomaston, 


1784. 


Elisha Snow, 


167^ 


2d Chh. 




John Wakefield, 


36 


Top sham, 


1816 


Henry Kendall, 
Winslow Staples, 


56 


New-Castle, 






12 


Union 


1801 


Lemuel Rich, 


85 


Wales, 




James Pierce, . 


44 


Warren, 


1800 


Daniel Ricker, 


120 


Whitefield, 


1789 


Joseph Bailey, 


76 


2d Chh. 


1809 




31 


Woolwich^^ 


1800 


Robert C. Starr, 
Samuel Stiafon 


4^ 





APPENDIX, 


^ 




COUNTY OF HANCOCK. 




y^me*! 


Pate of 




Ne. of 


t^e Town. 


the Chh. 


Names of the Minintcf^. 


n»«mber.?k 


Belfast, 


1809 


John Wagg, 


2^ 


Jelmont, 




. 


38 


Bluehill, 


1806 


John Round y, 
William Johnson, 


178 


Buckfport and 






Orland. 


1809 




21 


Eden, 




Enoch Hunting, 


$2 


Goldsborough 


, 


Joseph Chadwick. 


U 


Islesborongh, 


1791 




49 


Knox, 




Isaac H4U 


5a 


Mount Desert 






»9 


Monioe 






17 


Northport, 


1807 




18 


Prospedt, 




Thomas Merrill, 


14 


Sedgewick, 


1805 


Ebenezer Pinkhara, 


226 


Sullivan, 


18ia 


Daniel McMaster, 


42 


Surry and 


< 






Ellsworth, 


1807 


Benjamin Lord, 


64 


Three mile 








square, 






13 


Trenton, 


1810 




74^ 


Vii^alhaven, 


1804* 


Samuel Macomber, 


i2I 



40 


APPENDIX. 






COUNTY OF WASHINGTON.* 




Kamc of 


Date of 




N». of 


the Town. 


the Church, 


Names of the Ministers. 


members. 


Eastport> 




Benjamin Buck, 


30 


Machias, 






4IS 


Steuben, 


1805 


Nathaniel Robinson, 


82 


2dChh. 


1806 




49 



COUNTY OF KENNEBECK. 



Belgrade, 


1806 


Elias Taylor^ 


6& 


Chesterville, 






2a 


China, 




Isaac S. Smith, 


70 


Clinton, 




Mephibosheth Cain, 


92 


Farmington, 






50 


Fayette, 




Jesse Martin, 
Oliver Billings, 


Mi 


Freedom, 




Thaddtus Bailey^ 


55 


Gardiner, 




Levi Young, 


32 


2d Chh. 






15 


Greene, 


1809 


John Daggett,^, 
Reuben Curtis, 


12 


Hallowell, 


1805 




64 


Harlem, 






af6 


2d Chh. 




Jabez Lewis, 


31 


I-eeds, 




Thomas Francis, 
Martin Leonard, 


79 


Malta, 






19 


2d Chh. 


- 




26 


Monmouth, 


1810 

if the Chtirchei east ofth€ Penobst^t are 


^ 


♦ The accounts i 


for the 7 eat 


^«i<>. 













APPENDIX* 


M 


»ame«f 


Bate of 




No. Of 


the Town. 


the Chh. 


Name of the Ministers. 


mtonbers^ 


Mount-Vernon, 




73 


New-Sharon, 


1802 


Sylvanus Boar dm an, 


5^ 


Readfieldj 


1792 


Josiah Houghton, 
Isaac Case, 
Samuel Foggy 


^ 


Sidney, 


1791 


Asa Wilbur, 


h\ 


2dChh. 


1806 




51 


Vassalboroughl788 




43 


2d Chh. 


1808 


Coker Maible, 


S7 


Waterville, 




Jeremiah Chaplin, 
Avery Briggs, 


46 




COUUtT of OXFORD. 




Bethel, 


1795 


Daniel Mason, 


U 


Buckfield, 


1791 


Nathaniel Chace^ 


36 


^d Chh. 


1802 




49 


Denmark, 


180* 


Tristram Jordan, 


23 


Dixfield, 




Nathan Mayhew, 


29 


Hartford, 


1810 


Daniel Hutchinson, 


90 


Hebron, 


1791 


John Tripp, 
Shuhael Tripp, 


107 


Jeffersohj 


1790 




3d 


Lancaster, 




- 


18 


Livermore, 


1793 


John Haynes, 


136 


2d Chh. 


1811 


Ransom Norton, 


t2 


Bd Chh. 




Thomas Wyman, 
Elias Nelson, 


93 


Norway. 






26 


Parisr 


1791 


James Hooper, 


137 



4S 


Appendix. 




Xame of Date of 
the Town, the Chh. 

Plantation No. 1. 


Names of the MioUters. 


\-o.dI 
otembelrs. 

15 


Plantation No. 8. 




21 


Sumner. 180* 

Waterford. 

Jay. 1799 


Joseph Palmer, 
Mighill Jewett, 
Josepli Macomberj 


55 

12 

102 



COUNTY OF SOMEiSEf. 



Ansoa. 






IS 


Athens. 






U 


Bloomfieldi 




Jonathan Steward, 
Robert Cobur* 


61 


Canaan. 


1795 




3S 


2d Chh. 






!8 


Cornville. 


1801 




32 


Harmony. 


1801 


Benjamin Bisbee, 


43 


Industry. 






52 


Moscow. 






31 


Norridgewoci 


r«. 




12 


North.hill. 






24 


Palmyra. 




Joseph Blasdel, 


44 


Parkman. 




Zehas Hall, 


SO 


Philhps. 






10 


Strong. 






12 



APPENDIX. 

COUNTY OF P£NOBSCOT. 



4f 



'Same of 


Date of 




No. of 


the Towns. 


the Chh. 


Names of the Ministers, 


■aeinbcrsj 


Bangor. 






20 


Brooksville.. 




Amos Allen, 
Lemuel Norton^ 
Noah Norton^ Jr, 


76 


2d Chh. 




Edward Carter, 


37 


Carmel. 






IS 


Charleston, 


1810 


Henry Hale, 


67 


Dixmont. 


1810 




S4f 


Frankfort. 


1808 




40 


Guilford. 




Thomas Macomber, 


38 


Hampdea. 


1809 


Otis Briggs, 


S& 



N. B. A list of Churches is preserved in Mr. Bene- 
dicts History of the Baptists. Several are there named 
wjiich are not reported in the annual minutes at this day. 
They have probably either changed their name, or unit- 
ed with some others, or have become extinct. 



^ 



44 



APPENDIX. 



NO. 9. 

FROM PAGE 261. ^ 

A Table shewing the date of the several meetings of 
Triends in Maine, arranged in Chronological order* 
(Where there is a blank the certain date was unknown.) 



Date of the 
Name of the town. meeting for 

worship. 

Kittery, now Elliot, 1 730 
Falmouth, 1743 


Date of the E 
preparative 
mcctinji. 

1764 


iate of the Date of the 
monthly quarterly- 
meeting, mcetinjj. 

none. ' none. 
1751 1795 


Berwick, 


1749 


1750 


1802 


none* 


Harps well, 


1749 


Discontinued 




Durham, 


1776 




1790 


none. 


Windliam, 


1779 


1793 


1802 


none. 


Vassalborough, 


1780 


1784 


1787 


1813. 


Fairfield, 


1786 


1791 


none. 


none. 


Portland, 


1790 


1796 


none. 


none. 


Limington, 


1792 


1801 


none. 


none. 


Winthrop, 


1793 


1802 & 
1816 


:. none. 


none- 


Green and Leeds, 


1794< 


1796 


1813 


none. 


Lewiston, 




1816 


none. 


none* 


Bristol, 


1795 


1801 


none. 


none. 


Sidney, 


1795 


1800 


1802 


none* 


Gorham, 


1797 


none. 


none. 


none. 


2d in Vassalborough, 


, 1797 


1799 


none. 


none. 


Dresden, 


1798 


none. 


none. 


none. 


Scarborough, 


1799 


none. 


none. 


none^ 


Belgrade, 


1801 


none. 


none. 


none. 


Harlem, 


1802 


1809 


1813 


none. 


-Litchfield, 


1803 


1812 


none. 


none. 


Camden, 


1804. 


Discontinued. 




Hope, 


1807 


none. 


none. 


none. 


Islebprough, 


1809 


Discontinued. 









APPENDIX. 




4§ 


Cape Elizabeth, 


1810 


none. 


none. 


none. 


Fairfax, 




1819 


1812 


none. 


none.. 


Parsonsfield, 








none. 


none. 


Poland, 








none. 


none. 


Raymond, 








none. 


none. 


Unity, 




1815 




none. 


none. 


Wilton, 






1815 


none. 


none, 


2d in Harlem 


(the 










Branch) 




1817 


none. 


none. 


none, 


Pownal, 




1817 


none. 


none. 


none. 


Athens, 








none. 


none. 



The Friends have in America eight yearly meetings, 
viz. Philadelphia, New-York, New-England, Baltimore* 
Ohio, Virginia, Carolina, and Indiana yearly meetings. 
Philadelphia yeai ly meeting is composed of eleven Quar- 
terly meetings. New-Yoik yearly meeting has nine 
quarterly mcietings. New-England yearly meetinghas six 
Quarterly meetings, viz Rhode-Island, Salem, Sand- 
wich, Falmouth, Smithfield, and Vassalborough. Bal. 
timore yearly meeting has three Quarterly meetings. 
Ohio yearly meeting had six Quarterly meetings until 
the present year, when a part of them were taken off in 
forming the new yearly meeting for the State of Indiana. 
Virginia yearly meeting has three Quarterly meetings, 
and Carolina yearly meeting has six Quarterly meet- 
ings. 

In the v^hole of the United States their meetings wiH 
stand thus : 

Yearly meeting?, - - 8 

Quarterly meetings, - 4-^ 

Monthly meetings, • 184! 

Meeting for worship, - 529 



4$ APPENDIX 

No. 10. 

FROM PAGE 274. 

It has been asset ted th?t in New-England there are at 
least six hundred Churches in the Freewill Baptist con- 
nexion. The truth of this is unknown. The following 
Table exhibits the date of the gathering of all that could 
be obtained. The dates are selected from Elder Buzzell's 
Magazine, 



Name of the Dal 


e of the 1 


Kame of the Date of the 


Town. C 


lurch. ! Town. Church. 


New-Durham, N. H. 


1780 '3d in Giimanton, N.H 


1800 


Edgcomb, 


1781 Hardwick. ^^t. 


1800 


Georgetown, 


1781 Meredith, N. H 


1800 


JLittle River, 


1781 New-Castle, N. H. 


1800 


New -Gloucester, 


1781 New-Hampton, N.H 


. 1800 


Parsonsfidd, 


1781 New.Portland, 


1800 


Philipsburg, • 


1781 Thornton, 


1800 


Woolwich, 


2 781 Shapleigh, 


1801 


Gorham, 


1785 Brookfield, N.H. 


1-802 


Bristol, 


17S8 Doer field, N. H. 


1802 


Barrinq^ton, N. H. 


1791 Knox, 


1802 


Middleton, N. H. 


1791 Wa;.hington, Vt. 


1802 


Pittsfield, N. H. 


1791 New-Gloucester,* 


1803 


Jlaymond, N. H. 


1791 Squam Island, 


1803 


Waterborough, 


J 791 Wilderness, N. H. 


180 J 


Farmington, 


179S,Winthrop, ' 


isoi. 


Giimanton, N. H. 


17947\shby, Vt. 


1806 


Strafford, Vt. 


1794 


Chebacco, Mass. 


1806 


Canterbury, N. H. 


1795 


Wear, 


1806 


Lebanon, 


1795 


Wise asset, 


1806 


Limington, 


1798 


York, 


1806 


iJdin Gilmanton,N,H.1799 


Durand, N. K. 


1807 


Berwick and Kiitery 


J 799 


Dixmont, 


1809 


Bridgewater, N. H. 


1800 


Palermo, 


1812 


Bradford, Vt. 


1800 







♦ The former Chh. in this town was ditsolved in 17^3. 



APPENDIX. ^ 

No, 11. 

FROM PAGE 279. 

The following is a copy of Mr. Wesley^s letter to the^ 
American Methodists, on the subject of ordination, and 
their regular establishment as a Church. 

Bristol, September 10. 1784. 

To Dr. Coke, Mr. Asbury, and our brethren in North 
America. 

"1. By a very uncommon train of providences, ma- 
ny of the provinces of North America are totally dis- 
joined from the British Empire, and erected into Inde*. 
pendent States, the English government has no autho- 
rity over them either civil or ecclesiastical, any more 
^an over the States of Holland. A civil authority is 
exercised over them, partly by the Congress, paitly by 
the State assemblies. But no one either exercises or 
claims any ecclesiastical authority at all. In this pecu? 
liar situation some thousands of the inhabitants of these 
States, desire my advice : and in compliance with their 
desiie, I have drawn up a little sketch " 

*' 2. Lord King's account of the primitive Church 
convinced me many years ago, that bishops and pres* 
byters are the same order, and consequently have the 
same right to ordain. For many years I have been im.- 
portuned from time to time, to exercise this right, by 
ordaining part of our travelling preachers. But I have 
ftill refused not only for peace sake, but because I was 
determined, as little as poffible to violate the eftablished 

•rder of the national church to which I belonged. 

4i* 



48 APPENDIX. 

" 3, Bat the case is widely different between England , 
and North America. Here there are bishops who have 
a legal jurisdiction. In America there are none, and 
but few parish Ministers. So that; for some hundred 
miles together there are none either to baptize, or ad- 
minister the Lord's supper. Here therefore my scru- 
ples are at an end ; and I conceive myself at full liberty, 
as I violate no order, and invade no man's right, by 
appointing and sending labourers into the harvest. 

" 4. 1 have accordingly appointed Dr. Coke and Mr. 
Francis Asbury, to be joint superintendants, over our 
brethren in North America. As also Richard What* 
coat, and Thomas Vasey, to act as elders among them, 
by baptizing and administering the Lord's Supper. 

"5. If any one will point out a more rational and 
Scriptural way of feeding and guiding those poor 
sheep in the wilderness, I will gladly embrace it. At 
present I cannot see any better method than thai I have 
taken. 

"6. It has indeed been proposed, to desire the English 
Bishops to ordain part of our preachers for America, 
But to this I object. L I desired the Bishop of Lon- 
don to ordain one only ; but could not prevail. 2. If 
they consented, we know the slowness of their proceed* 
ings ; but the matter admits of no delay. 3. If they 
would ordain them no'w, they would likewise expect to 
govern them. And how grievously would this entan- 
gle us ? 4-, As our American brethren are now totally 
disentangled both from the State, and from the English 
hierarchy, we dare not entangle them again, either with 
the one or the other. They are now at full liberty, sim- 



APPENDIX* #9 

ply to follow the scriptures and the primitive Church. 
And we judge it best that they should stand fast in that 
liberty, wherewith God has so strangely made thena 
free[." 

John Wesley* 



m 



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5& APPENDIX. 



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90 



APPENDIX. 





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^S APPENDIX. 

Total, In Portland District, Travelling Preachers IS 

Local Preachers, 40 

In Kennebeck District, Travelling Pi-eachers, lO 

Local Preachers, 27 

In Penobscot District, Travelling Preachers, 6 

Local Preachers, 6 



10^ 



The following is the total amount of members in^ 
America as returned at the annual conferences in 1820. 
Ohio Conference, 35056. Missouri, 5523. Tennessee, 
2S164<. Mississippi, 2331. South-Carolina. 32969.. 
Vireinia, 23756. Baltimore, 33289. Philadelphia, 
34851. New-York., 23456. New-England, 17739. Gen- 
essee, 2394-7. Grand total 256881, of which 38753 are 
Blacks. Travelling Preachers in the U. S. 904. 

In the year 1 809, when Elder Jesse Lee published a 
*^ Short History of the Methodists," there had then been 
admitted into full connexion as travelling Preachers 
from the year 1 769 to 1 806, 988 persons. Of these 
8 who came from England returned there after a few 
years, 85 died in the work, 17 had been expelled, 28 
had left the connexion in good standing, 533 had locat* 
ed themselves after a period of travelling, and the re- 
mainder were then living in the travelling connexion. 
At the same time 251 persons had been received as 
probationary preachers, of whom 1 1 had died in the 
service, 3 had been expelled, one had left the connexion, 
and the otjiers then remained on tp'al. 

Hist. Methodists, Chap, l^ 





APPENDIX 


5S 




No. 13. 




FROM PAGE 293. 


Names of the ordained Elders 
Christian Churches in Maine. 


in connexion with the 


Names* 




Residence. 


Mark Fernald, 




Kittery. 


Samuel Rand, 




Portland. 


Joseph Smith 




South-Berwick, 


Jedediah Goodwin, 




do. 


Josiah Bradley, 




Vienna. 


Jonathan Bradley, 




do. 


Peter Mores, 




do. 


Joseph Merrill, 




Canaan. 


Thomas Lewis, 




Clinton. 


John Robinson, 




Cornville. 


John York, 




Newport, 


William Knowles, 




Harmony. 


Jedediah B. Prescott, 




Monmouth, 


Henry Frost, 




do. 


James Crosby, 




Fairfax, now Fredoni^. 


Theodore Harding, 




Joy. 


Jeremiah Bean, 




WiltOB. 


Lbenezer Hamlin, 




Knox. 
Leeds. 



60 APPENDIX. 

Under the care of the aforesaid Elders, are the 
Churches in the Towns where they severally reside, as- 
also the Churches in' the Towns of Mount-Vernon, Pal- 
myra, Exeter, North-Hill, Athens, Warsaw, Madison 
and Eastport ; making in all twenty-three Churches^ 
and 18 ordained Elders. 

Churches of this denomination have been gathered m 
other S.ates. In 1821 their numbers were as follows : 



states. 


O.diined Elder*. 


No. of Churches-. 


New-Hampshire^ 


13 


15 


Massachusetts, 


IV 


12 


Vermont, 


29 


37 


Rhode-Island,. 


2 


3 


Connecticut 




9 


New-York, 


47 


unknown. 


New-Jersey, 


1 





Pennsylvania, 


4 


6 


Virginia^ 


& 


IS 


Ohio, 


2 


unknown 



122 



95 



GENERAL INDEX- 



Acadie, 


Page ^ 


Agamenticus, Plantation of 


8 


Allen Rev. Benjamin, 


S^ 


Arundel, 


6a 


Anderson Rev. Rufus, 


72- 


Adams, Rev. Jonathan, 


82^ 


Alfred, 


109 


Adams, Rev. John, 


113 


Atkinson, Rev. Jonathan, 


lis 


Alna, 


151 


Andover, 


188 


Albany, 


192 


Augusta, 


19^ 


Adams, Rev. Thomas, 


204 


Anson, 


214 


Burdet, 


9 


Briggs, Rev. Isa^c, 


U 


Buss, Dr. John, 


20 


Burroughs, Rev. George^ 


20 


Berwick, 


26 


Bi-iggs, Rev. William,. 


30 



^^ APPENmX. 

Browne, Rev. Thomas, 41^ 

Bradley, Rev. Caleb, 41 

Beeman, Rev. N. S. S. 42 

Burrage Rev. William, 44 

Biddeford, 5I 

Booth, Robert, 52 

Brooks, Rev, Edward, 65 

Brown, Rev. Francis, 65 

Baxter, Rev. Mr. 74 
Boyd, Rev. Alexander, 77, lOL 

Bath, 82 

Brunswick, 92 

Bailey, Rev. Winthrop, 97 

Bay ley, Rev. Kiah, lOT 

Buxton, 108 
Brown, Rev. Joseph, 112, 116 
Boyd, Rev. James,, 122, 219 

Bridgeton,- 126 

Boothbay, 132 

Bristol, 146 

Bradford, Rev. Alden> 150 

Bluehill, 156 

Brown Rev. Joseph, I59 

Bucksport, 165 

Blood^ Rev. Mighill, 105 



APPEN&iX, 



m 



Belfast, 16r 

Bethel, 187" 

Brownfield, 19^ 
Belden, Rev. JonathaR, 1 50, 1 96. 

Brown, Rev. Clark, 207 

Bigelow, Rev. Andrew^ 209^ 

Bigelow, Rev. Jonathan^ 20^ 

Bloomfield, 210- 

Binghairi) 215 

Bangor, 219^ 

Brewer, ' 219- 

Brosvnville, 22Q 

Bailey, Rev. Jacob, 23t 

Baptists, Calvinistic, 238 

Baptists, Freewill, 270^ 

Chandler, Rev. Samuel, IS 

Chandler, Rev. Samuel, S2 

Chace, Rev. Josiah, 35' 

Clark, Rev. Eplr/aim, 39 

Cape Elizabeth, 39^ 

Campbell, Rev. Hugh, 45 

Chad wick, Rev Benjamin j. 50 

Cogswell, Rev. Jonathan, .59 

Cape Porpus, 59 

Cutter, Rev. Amml R» 64? 



M APPENDIX. 




Curtis, Rev. Joseph W, 


G6 


Cummings, Rev. Asa, 


m 


Cumberland, town of, 


71 


Chapin, Rev. Perez, 


73 


Cresey, Rev. Noah, 


73, 190 


Coffin, Rev. Ebenezer, 


97 


Coffin, Rev, Paul, 


108 


Calef, Rev. Jonathan, 


116,211 


Cornwall, Mr< Wait, 


119 


Crosby, Mr. Otis, 


121 


Church, Rev. Nathan, 


126 


Chatman, Rev. Benjamin^ 


1.52 


Castine, 


155, 162 


Chesterville, 


196 


Cushman, Rev. Joshua,. 


201 


Camden, 


175 


Cochran, Rev. Thomas', 
Cutting, Rev. John R. ^ 


175 


175 


Canaan, 


210 


Cayford, Rev. John, 


212 


Catholics, 


233 


Cailleaux, Rev. Stephen, 


235 


Cheverus, Rt. Rev. John? 


236 


Churchman John, 


254. 


Christian SocietVi 


292 



APPENDIX. 65 

De Motte, 7 

Dummer, Rev. Shubael, 9 

Dow, Rev. Moses, 12 

Deane, Rev. Samuel, 3.8 

Dunstan, 49 

Dutton, Rev. John, 72 

Dunlap, Rev. Robert, 94* 

Douglas, Rev. Nathan, 1 1 2 
Dane, Rev. John^ 115, 122 

Durham, 129 

Dresden, 151 

Deer-Isle, 158 

Dixfield, 192 

Dennysville, 207 

Dlxmont, 220 

Emerson, Rev. Joseph, 20 

Emery, Rev. Samuel, 21 

Eliot, ~ 32 

Elvins, Rev. Richard^ 49 

Eveleth, Rev. John^ 53 

Eaton, Rev. Elisha, 69 

Eaton, Rev. Samuel, 69 

Emerson, Rev. Ezekiel, 79 

Ellingwood, Rev. J. W". 85 



'DO APPENDIX 




Ellis, Rev. Jonathan, 


^ 


Eastman, Rev. Edmund, 


lU 


Edgecomb, 


151 


Eaton, Mr. Ebenezer, 


164 


Ellsworths, 


165 


Eastport, 


20d 


Episcopalians, 


223 


^aton, Rev. Joseph, 


242 


Fayrweather, Rev. Samuel, 


m 


J'letcher, Rev. Nathl. H. 


m 


Foster, Rev. Jacob, 


^ 


-Fisk, Mr. 


32 


Falmouth. 


35 


Fairfield, Rev. John, 


58 


Fessenden, Rev. J. P. 


62 


Freeport, 


70 


Freeman, Rev. Charles> 


115 


Foxcroft, Rev. Samuel^ 


118^ 


Fisher, Rev. Jabez P. 


144 


Fisher, Rev. Jonathan, 


157 


Frothingham, Rev. Wm. 


169 


Fryeburg. 


177 


Fesserden, Rev. Wm. 


177 


Farmingto*ji, 


19S 



APPENDIX. 


67 


Foster, Rev. Isaac, 


196 


Fairfax, or Fredorva, 


202 


Freeman, 


S16 


Fairfield, 


216 


Friends, 


245 


Gorges, Sir Ferdinand©,,' 


S 


Gorges, Thomas, 


S 


Gorgiana, City of. 


« 


Creene, Rev, PercivaU 


SO 


Greigg, Rev. William, 


40 


Gilman, Rev. Tristram, 


155 


Georgjetown, 


74 


Gorham, 


^9 


Gould, Rev. Jonathan, 


124. 


Gray, 


125 


Greely, Rev. Allen, 


186 


Gould, Rev. Daniel, 


187, 191 


Gilead, 


19$ 


CiUet, Rev.Eliphalet, 


198 


Gerry, or Malta, 


205 


Garland, 


^20 


Gardiner, town of, 


227 


Gardiner, Doctor Sylvester, 


^27 


Hubbard, Rev. Jeremiah, 


20 


fiemmenway, Rfev. Moses, 
6 


» 



J68 APPENDIX. 

Hartwell, Rev. Jonas, 30 

Hilliard, Rev. Joseph, 34 

Henry, Rev. Hugh, ' 45 

Hovey, Rev. John, 61 

Harpswell, 68 

Hasey, Rev. Isaac, 108 

Herrick, Rev. Jacob, 129 

Hancock, county of, 155 

Huse, Rev. Jonathan, 173 

Hebron, 190 

Hall, Rev. Samuel R. 191 

Hallowell, 196 

Hall, Rev. Hezeklah, 202 

Holt, Rev. Fifield, 212 

Hampden, 220 

Hilliard, Rev. Timothy, 226 

Hooper, Rev. William, 242 

Interior of York County, 108 

do. of Cumberland County, 117 

Ingraham, Rev. John H. 176 

Industry, 214 

JefFerds, Rev. Samuel, 21 
Johnson, Rev. Alfred, 70, 168 

Jenks, Rev. William, 85 

Jewett, Rer. Caleb, 90 



APPENDIX, 


69 


Jiwett, Rer. Paul, 


109 


Johnson, Rev. Samuel, 


151 


Jewett, Rev. David, 


195 


Kennebunk, 


2S 


Kittery, 


29 


Kellogg, Rev. EHjalb 


42 


Kennebunk-port, 


' 60 


Kellogg, Rev. Gardiner^ 


88 


Kennebeck, County of, 


194 


Kendrick, Rev. Daniel, 


203 


Kingsfield, 


216 


Lyman, Rev. Isaac, 


n 


Lankton, Rev. Samue^ 


14 


Little, Rev. Daniel, 


25 


Lord, Gen. John, 


29 


Litchfield, Rev. Joseph^ 


33 


Lancaster, Rev. Thomas, 


48 


Loring, Rev. Nicholas, 


64 


Lyman, Kev. Asa, 


85,88 


Lombard, Rev. Solomon^ 


89 


Loring, Rev. Levi, 


108 


Lebanon, 


108 


Limington, 


113 


Limerick,. 


114 



^ APPEND!:^. 




Lyman, 


116 


Litchfield, 


153 


Lawton, Rev. C. J. 


170 


Lord, Rev. John, 


176 


Lovell, 


186 


Lovejoy, Rev. Danle^^ 


202^208 


Lyon, Rev. James, 


206 


Lubec, 


209 


Loomis, Rev. Harvey, 


219 


Lord, Rev. Nathaniel, 


242 


Lutherans, 


262 


Lee, Rev. Jessf, 


277 


Maine, original limits o^ 


S 


Moody, Rev. Samuel, 


10 


Messenger, Rev. Rosewel^ 


1% 


Moody, Rev. Joseph, 


1% 


Martin, Rev. Richard, 


20 


Merrill, Rev. Stephei^ 


31 


Morse, Rev. John, 


34 


Merriam, Rev. Mathew^ 


^ 


Mlkimore, Rev. William, 


41 


Murdock, Rev. Thomas J*' 


42 


Morrill, R«v. Moses^ 


57 


Moody, Rev. Silas, 


^y 


MeriyD, Rev. Enos, 


n 



APPENDIX. 9i 

McCIanethan, Ri?v. William, 75 

Morton, Rev. James, 75 

Miller, Rev. John, 96 

Moseley, Rev. Elisha, i 2S 

Maret, Rev. Daniel, 12* 

Minot, * 126 

Merrill, Rev. Josiah G. 130 

Murray, Rev. John, 133 

McLean, Rev. Alexandefj, 148 

Moore, Rev. Thomas, 150 

Merrill, Rev. Daniel, 160 

Mason, Rev. William, 163 

Mount Desert, 162' 

Mitchell, Rev. David M*- 176 

Malta, or Gerry, " 205 

Machias, 206 

Monson Plantatiour ?16 

Methodists, 275 

Newmarch, Rev. John, 29 

Nichols, Rev. Ichabod, 38 

New-Casco, 40 

North-Yarmouth, 63 

Nason, Rev. Reuben, 71 

Noyes, Rev. Jeremiahr 90 

6* 



5% APPSyDlX: 




New-Castle, 




iOp 


Newfield, 




115 


New-Gloucester, 




117 


Nash, Rev. Samuel^. 




125 


Nourse, Rev. Peter,, 




166 


Norway, 




190 


New- Sharon, 




202 


Norridgewock, 




212 


Noble, Rev. Seth, 




218 


OHphant, Rev. David;^. 




23 


Oti'sfield, 




130 


Oxford, County of, 




r7T 


Oxnard, Mr. Thomas, 




226 


Olney, Rev. Gideon, 




2^0 


Payne, Rev. Robert, 




20 


l^pon. Rev. John, 




23 


Piscataqua, plantation of 




26 


Peppeiell, Sir William, 


■ r..~^.iTf* 


29 


Portland, 


. /T ,— r-.»^ 


S», 


Pay son, Rev. Edwaid, 




42 


pierce. Rev. Thomas, 




4& 


Prentice, Rev, Thoma^ 


^ms{inS 


50 


Pay son, Rev. George, 


^txm- 


61 


Pownal, 




IS 


Parsonsfield, 


vo ■•■ 


114: 


!P«rley, Rev. Samuel, 


■rU-/-.^,. 


ns 



APPENDIX. 


n 


i^Id^in, Rev. William,. 


129 


Pemaquid, 


146 


Pownalborough, 


150 


Packard, Rev. Hezekiain. 


ISO 


Parker, Rev. Freeman, 


151 


Powers, Rev. Peter, 


158 


Penobscot, town of. 


160 


Powers, Rev. Jotiathan,. 


160 


Price, Rev. Ebenezer, . 


1^7 


Prospect, j 


170 


Paris, 


1 93 


Pittston, 


^3 


Peet, Rev. Josiah, 


214 


Penobscot, County of^. 


218 


Penobscot Indians, 


255. 


Presbyterians, 


264 


Quakers, 


244 


Rishworth, Edward, 


ia 


Richardson, Rev. Gideoi^ 


22. 


Rogers, Rev. John, 


St2. 


Rand, Rev. Asa, 


91 


Rolfe, Rev. Benjamiup. 


m 


Rpby, Rev. Thomas^ 


129 


Raymond, 


i31. 


Riddel, Rev. Williamjt 


i^a 


Rijpdey, Rjcv. lincolnj^ ^^^ 


^tim^'^-^^^ 



Rumford, ^m^mM^^i ^^^ 

Rice> Rev. Jacob, 192 

Rutherford, Rev. Robert;, 172 

Robbinston, 2q«* 

Roman Catholics, ^^^" 2S3 

Ralle, Father Sebastian, 233 

Romagni, Rev. James R.. 235 

Ryan, Rev. Dennis, : 23g 

Randel, Rev. Benjamin,, 270 

Scotland, parish of, 12 

Stevens, Rev. Benjamin^, 3q. 

Spring, Rev. Alpheus, ^ 

Smith, Rev. Thomas, 3g 

Sawyer, Rev. Benjamin*. 40 

Scarborough, 44^ 

Saco, 5I 
Smith, Rev. Amasa, 72, 184 

Stone, Rev. Samuel, 72 

Smith, Rev, P. T. 87' 

Stone, Rev. Nathaaiei^ S8 

Sandford, lOg 

Sweat, Rev. Moses, 109 

Shapleigh, ns 

Standish, 123 

Scott, Rev. Jonathan 125; 

Sawyer, Rev. Jolin, IM^ 



APPENiDIX, 


?a 


Sewall, Rev. Samuel, 


1^ 


Sedgewick, 


150 


Spaulding, Rev. Philip, 


IGl 


Sullivan, 


166 


Strickland, Rev. Johs^ 


180,180 


Sewall, Rev. Henry, 


187, 190 


Sumner, 


180 


Sewall, Rev. Samue^l, 


189 


Sweden, 


193^ 


Stone, Rev. Daniel, 


199 


Sewall, Rev. Jotham, 


200 


Smith, Revo David, 


2oa 


Steele, Rev. Marshfiel^,. 


w 


Someriet, County of, 


tiO 


Starks, 


214 


Solon, 


215 


Strong, 


216 


Screven, Rev. William,. 


2^0 


Starman, Rev. John, 


262 


Thompson, Rev. John, 


^8, 123 


Thompson, Rev. William, 


^:r- 


Tilton, Rev, Nathan, 


50 


Turner, Rev. John, 


59,111 


Townshend, Rev. Mr. 


89 


Thatcher, Rev. Josiah^ 


90 


Topsham;i^^ 


aa; 



203 
?26 



76 APPENDIX 

Turner, town o^ lyg 

Thurston, Rev. David, ig^ 

Tappan, Rev. Benjamin, I99 

True, Rev. Henry, jy^ 

Thomaston, ji^g 
Temple, 

Ten Broeck, Rev. P. Si 
Unity, parish of, 26 

Veazie, Rev. Samoel, 7q 

Ur^iihart, Rev. John,. 166, 17 k 

Union, j^g 

Unity, town of, 203 

Vassalborough^ 204 
Wells, j5 

Wheelwright, Rev. John, J5 

White, Rev. Benjamin, 22 

Wade, Rev. John, 27 

Wise, Rev. Jeremiah, 28 
Wiswall, Rev, John, 41, 224* 

Williams, Rev. Ebenezer, 41 

Westbrook, 4j 

Williard, Rev. Samuel, 54 

Webster, Rev. Nathaniel, 57 

Whitcomb, Rev. Elihu, 58 

Woodbury, Rev. Samuel^ 66 

Whiton, Rev. Otis Q 73 



APPENDIX. 


77 


Woolwich, 


81 


Winship, Rev. Joslah, 


82 


Winter, Rev. Francis, 


83 


Wallis, Rev. Hu^h, 


84. 


Windham, 


87 


Wight, Rev. John, 


87 


Ward, Rev. Nathan, 


102 


Whiting, Rev. Thurston, 


106 


Weston, Rev. Daniel, 


125 


Weston, Rev. Isaac, 


144 


Wiscasset, 


150 


Ward, Rev. Jonathan, 


151 


Warren, Rev. Silas, 


169 


Waldo patent, 


171 


Wairen, 


172 


Waldoborough, 


175 


Whiting, Rev. Francis Li 


178 


Waterford, 


187 


Weld, 


192 


Winthrop, 


194 


Washington, County of. 


206 


Whitaker, Rev. Nathaniel, 


210 


Williams, Rev. Thomas, 


219 


Warren, Rev. Joseph, 


226 


York, 


« 



BRkATA. 

1»agc ao, 12th line from top for " graduated" read •• graduate*." p. 25 
The notes at the bottom of page should change places, p. 40, ad line from 
ftdttom for " Holes" read »* Boles,*' P. 49, 7th line from top, for •• even" 
read ♦• ever." p. 5z, note, for 'recited' read ♦ cited.' p. 74, in running 
title for " Cumberland" read ♦'Congregationaliits." P. gp^ 7th line from 
•top/ for " from" sead " of," P. 113, note, for "4,*' read " 5." p. 183, 
I7th line from top, for" selected'* wad •♦ elected.*"' P* 193, the note attached 
to Weld should have been attached to Gilead. P. 195, tlic notci on this page 
should change places. P. 197, add to note " Moore of Pownalborough, 
Wlnshipof Woolwich, and McLean, of Bristol, with Delegates from their sev-^- 
eral Churches. p. 201, 8th line from top for " 1896'' read '• 1796," P. 
zp^, 5th line from bottom, for " Hendtick read " Kendrick." The same 
alteration on the next page. P 208, 6th line from bottom, for ♦'sensus" read 
• census.' P 209, Kote should be attacked to the sketch of Eastport. 
Running title of Chapter, for " Sumersct'» read " Somerset." P 22», 3* 
line from bottom for" Church" read " Churches." P 125, 13th line from 
top, for " mumbers" read •» noembers.' H 226, 6th line from bottom, 
for ' Petous' read 'Petrus.' P227, 2d liae from top, for ' CXney's ministry* 
read " Rev. Mr. Olney's ministry." P 2^35, i 3th line from top, for " Cail- 
leawx" read " Cailleaux." P 255, 12th line from bottom, insert ♦removed 
from' between the words • principally' and •Harp>wcll.' P 265, 7th line 
from top, for ' Hustor' read • Hnston.' P 274» In the marginal reference, 
for 9 read 10. 













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